Understanding FEMA & Local Resources in the Wake of Natural Disasters

Experiencing a natural disaster can be overwhelming and devastating. In these challenging times, understanding the available support and assistance can be crucial for your recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a significant role in aiding individuals and communities affected by disasters such as Hurricane Helene. FEMA offers various programs to help those in federally declared disaster areas.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program provides financial support and direct services, which include temporary housing funds, home repair or replacement costs, and hazard mitigation assistance. Moreover, FEMA supports individuals through mass care and emergency assistance, crisis counseling, and disaster unemployment support.

In addition to individual assistance, FEMA's Public Assistance program allocates supplemental grants for state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, as well as certain non-profits, aimed at debris removal, life-saving protective measures, and infrastructure restoration.

Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses recover, covering physical damages and operational costs not covered by insurance. State emergency management agencies also offer additional resources tailored to local needs.

By leveraging these federal and state resources, victims can begin the path to recovery and rebuild their lives. Below is an outline to provide you with more information about FEMA and the local, emergency aid available to you.

1. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security.
   1. In federally declared disaster areas, FEMA provides
      1. Individual Assistance | FEMA.gov to individuals and families
         1. This program provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster including funds for temporary housing, to repair or replace owner-occupied homes, and hazard mitigation assistance
         2. Additional programs for individuals provide, among other programs, Mass Care and Emergency Assistance, Crisis Counseling, and Disaster Unemployment Assistance
      2. Assistance for Governments and Private Non-Profits After a Disaster | FEMA.gov.
         1. This Public Assistance program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments and  and certain non-profits to cover the costs of debris removal, life-saving protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure. The only applicants eligible for this grant funding are states, territory, tribal or local governments or private non-profit organizations 
2. The Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses recover from declared disasters. Disaster assistance | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov).  Business Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans  can cover losses that are not covered by insurance and can provide funds to cover repair and replacement of physical assets, cover operating expenses, and mitigate future disasters.
3. In addition to federal assistance, states have their own emergency agencies or departments that may have additional resources:
   1. Florida Emergency Management: Hurricane Helene | Florida Disaster
   2. Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency: Hurricane Helene | Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
   3. North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Hurricane Helene | NC DPS
   4. South Carolina Emergency Management Division: SCEMD Recovery Programs - South Carolina Emergency Management Division
   5. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: Hurricane Helene (tn.gov)
   6. Virginia Department of Emergency Management: Recover – Hurricane Helene | VDEM (vaemergency.gov)