Category Archives: Hurricanes

NFIP Updates Will Affect Flood Risk Assessments, Flood Insurance Premiums

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

Hurricanes Hit the Poor the Hardest

Within a period of two months, Hurricanes Florence and Michael swept through North Carolina and Florida, causing the loss of many lives and billions of dollars in damages. Unfortunately, the impacts of the hurricanes will hit low-income residents — who disproportionately make up the population of coastal flood-prone regions — the hardest. Amplified by other factors impacting… Read more

IBTS Fact Sheet: SBA Disaster Loans

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

What to do after a Disaster to Maximize Federal Funding and Reimbursement

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

Immediate Post-Disaster Recovery: The First Steps for Local Leaders

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

Be Prepared for the Complexities of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

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

For communities in Hurricane Florence’s path: Tips to share with your citizens

IBTS’s natural disaster experts have developed the following list of important recommendations for citizens in areas affected by natural disasters. Local government officials in communities that expect to be hit by Hurricane Florence can distribute these as part of their disaster communications efforts to help their citizens during and immediately following the storm. PROTECT YOUR… Read more

Hurricane Florence – What to Do Before and After a Disaster

As Hurricane Florence is about to make landfall on the coast of the Carolinas, IBTS’s team of natural disaster response and recovery experts have prepared the following short list of our most important OnHAND recommendations to help your local government operate effectively immediately before and after a disaster. Pre-Hurricane Florence Communications 1. Share your disaster and emergency… Read more

HUD Launches $16 Billion for Mitigation and Resilience Activities

For the first time ever, in February 2018 the announced a disaster recovery funding set aside specifically for  and efforts. With the passage of this groundbreaking $16 billion set aside, communities can now apply federal disaster recovery funding towards preventative efforts that strengthen their ability to respond to and recover from disasters and lead to… Read more

Storm season 2018 starts with Hurricane Aletta

The first hurricane of 2018 is rapidly increasing in intensity, going from a tropical storm off the coast of Mexico to a Category 4 event in just 24 hours. Luckily, Hurricane Aletta is not expected to make landfall, although The Weather Channel says, “High surf will be generated, propagating first to the southern Mexican coast,… Read more