Homeowners should be aware of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) recent updates to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The update will change the way FEMA assesses flood risks and determines flood insurance premiums. Instead of categorizing flood risk based on floodplain maps currently used, FEMA will assess properties on a property-by-property basis. This… Read more
Last week we posted about IBTS’s Start Towards a Recovery Today (STaRT) Program, through which IBTS provides on-the-ground pro bono educational services on federal funding programs available after a disaster. While the STaRT Program can be a saving grace after a disaster hits, it’s never too early to start preparing for your next disaster. “Once a… Read more
In January 2019, the IBTS team, in partnership with the National Governors Association (NGA), will bring a group of experts together in Washington, D.C. to discuss resilience—lifecycle strategies and actions that address the mitigation, response, recovery, and reinvention of communities following a crisis. The need for communities to prepare for, respond and adapt to, and… Read more
The deadline for local governments to submit subapplications to their state for FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) programs is quickly approaching. With a combined more than $395 million available, the programs provide local governments with an important opportunity to jumpstart or maintain disaster mitigation planning and project activities that can significantly… Read more
What are SBA disaster loans? The offers low-interest loans to homeowners and renters for repairing homes, rebuilding homes or replacing personal property following a natural disaster. These loans provide assistance to individuals whose needs are not fully met by insurance, or other compensation. Unlike other types of disaster assistance, these are loans that must be paid… Read more
In the hours, days and weeks following a natural disaster, documentation can have the most significant impact on the types and amount of recovery funding your community is eligible for. Proper documentation will not only help maximize your FEMA reimbursement, but it will set your community up for success in receiving other federal assistance later… Read more
Whether you’ve never experienced a disaster, haven’t had one for decades, or have been impacted by one recently, the following checklist provides a basic overview of the first steps for local leaders to take in the days and weeks immediately following a disaster. As a local leader, you will be tasked with helping homeowners through… Read more
The can be a saving grace for residents with flood-damaged homes, however it brings complicated requirements that can turn into an unanticipated source of angst for both local governments and residents. If your jurisdiction has , understanding NFIP requirements and rules is vital to helping your community successfully rebuild after a flood. Navigating the National… Read more
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