Posts tagged FEMA
FEMA extends flood deadlines
Nov 8th
Federal agency extends deadlines for disaster assistance and clarifies who can file flood insurance claims
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended its deadlines for individuals and businesses seeking financial disaster assistance related to the September flood. Anyone interested in being considered for this aid must register with FEMA no later than Nov. 30, 2013, for individual assistance or Small Business Administration loans. You can do this online at www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
In addition, FEMA wants property owners to know that National Flood Insurance Program policy holders in any Colorado county are eligible to file a flood claim under this program. Policy holders do not have to live in a disaster-designated county. These claims must be filed within 60 days of the date of loss, so these deadlines are approaching soon.
The City of Boulder urges anyone impacted by the flood to reach out to FEMA and seek all available aid if you have been impacted by the flood.
–CITY–
Flood debris pickup extended
Oct 16th
The City of Boulder is in the process of completing pickup of all flood debris that was reported to the city as of Monday, Oct. 14.
The curbside collection of damaged household items, carpet, drywall and all other materials except for dirt, mud and silt, is expected to be completed by Saturday, Oct. 19. Due to the logistics of hauling heavy organic material and collecting dirt, mud and silt from residential areas, parks and multi-use paths, trucks are expected to continue this limited scope of work for several more weeks.
Residents who did not contact the city by Monday, Oct. 14 may no longer take advantage of the curbside collection service and must dispose of flood debris on their own or with the help of a contractor. Residents may continue to dispose of debris at Western Disposal’s transfer station, but they will be required to pay the associated fees.
“We want residents to understand that while they will continue to see Swingle trucks in their neighborhoods fulfilling the orders that were placed before Monday’s deadline, these crews are no longer tasked with continuing to pick up unreported piles,” said Kara Mertz of the city’s Local Environmental Action Division. “The responsibility for unreported flood debris has shifted back to the private property owner.”
Denver-based collection contractor Swingle estimates that its crews have serviced more than 10,000 households since Sept. 26, when collection first began. As of Monday, Oct. 14, 4,463 tons of debris and sediment had been collected through the flood debris curbside pickup program. The city has received positive feedback about the limited-time emergency service.
“It was a relief to see the flood debris gone, though it was also a final goodbye for things we would have rather saved,” said resident Susan McLean in correspondence with the city. “Thank you for all you and others are doing to help speed the recovery.”
Residents who met the request deadline must comply with the same guidelines that have been in place since the pickups began. Specifically, they are asked to make sure their debris is on public streets or right of ways. Materials must be within 10 feet of the curb, avoiding sidewalks if possible, and should not be in bike lanes or in locations that may block storm drains.
In order for the city to receive FEMA assistance for the cost of debris removal, curbside pickup is limited to debris created by the storm event of Sept. 11 through Sept. 15. FEMA requirements include:
· Storm-related debris only; tree branches that broke from wind this past week cannot be accepted as part of this collection
· Debris should not be placed in plastic trash bags
· If debris is already in plastic bags, these bags must be opened to allow for verification that they contain only storm debris
· Do not place regular household trash with flood debris
· Debris must be placed on public property. Collection trucks are not permitted to go onto private or commercial property, which includes driveways, areas inside fences, and private streets inside mobile home parks and large apartment complexes.
Electronics and household hazardous wastes are NOT included in curbside collection.
Electronics may be taken to Eco-Cycle’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) drop off site at 5030 Old Pearl St. or Western Disposal for recycling. For more information, visit www.ecocycle.org/charm or www.westerndisposal.com.
Household hazardous waste such as paint, pesticides and chemicals must be taken to the Hazardous Materials Management Facility at 1901 63rd St. It is located behind the Boulder County Recycling Facility.
Residents with questions or concerns may contact the city at 720-564-2196 or at flooddebris@bouldercolorado.gov.
City/County: Look east and south for rentals
Sep 27th
Those impacted by flooding encouraged to seek housing rentals along U.S. 36 corridor (south and southeast of the City of Boulder)
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County residents displaced from their homes by the recent flooding are being encouraged to search for affordable rental housing outside the county as soon as possible. Prior to the flooding, rental vacancy rates across Boulder County were between one and three percent, and have already fallen further due to competition created by the flooding. In particular, residents needing affordable rental units are urged to search southeast and south of Boulder County along the U.S. 36 corridor.
“We don’t know right now how long repairs will take for both houses and roads, and we want our impacted residents to have a realistic view of what’s necessary in terms of finding temporary housing,” said Frank Alexander, Director of the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services (BCDHHS). “The sooner the rental search begins in places like Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada, Brighton, and Golden, the better it will be for those who’ve had to move from their homes because of the flooding.”
Polling of rental property owners indicates few affordable rental units are currently available in Boulder County. Residents are encouraged to broaden searches to include smaller units and apartments, and to discuss their options for shorter-term leases with property owners. Residents are also urged to be sure they know their rights as renters. Boulder County has a list of available housing assistance resources, including information for renters, atwww.BoulderCountyFlood.org.
“Unfortunately, there is no quick solution to the shortage of rental units in Boulder County,” said Boulder County Commissioner Cindy Domenico. “We want to be sure our residents know they may need to look outside Boulder County to meet their housing needs.”
Many displaced residents may be able to find housing with family, friends, or neighbors. As with other rental types, those who qualify for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may have the option of using the funds to help cover up to two months of rent payments. A legal lease is required to obtain FEMA funding to help cover rent payments.
Boulder County continues to help operate two Disaster Assistance Centers: 1) Twin Peaks Mall (1250 S. Hover Road at Highway 119) in Longmont, and at 5495 Arapahoe Avenue (near the intersection of 55th and Arapahoe) in Boulder. Among other services, both locations offer FEMA assistance as well as resources for food, financial help, volunteer cleanup, and other housing options.
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