News and reports from the Department of Homeland Security.

FEMA announced today that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to California by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for emergency work undertaken as a result of severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, beginning on Dec. 27, 2022 and continuing.

New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on July 19, 2023, for portions of the cities of Elmendorf and La Vernia; and unincorporated areas of Wilson County, Texas

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $5.8 million to the State of New Hampshire to reimburse Keene State College for the cost of providing testing for students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on July 19, 2023, for portions of the cities of China Grove, Elmendorf, San Antonio and St. Hedwig; and unincorporated areas of Bexar County, Texas. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps.

Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties have been added to the major federal disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding, meaning residents who had damage or losses from the storms may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Merced County, where residents who were affected by the severe storms and flooding can update your FEMA applications and learn about state and community programs and other available assistance.

FEMA continues to schedule open public forums throughout Southwest Florida in its mission to inform hurricane survivors of available state and federal recovery programs.

Georgia homeowners and renters in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup counties who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred Jan. 12, 2023, may apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

Preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps are available for review in Lonoke County, Arkansas.

FEMA has approved nearly $3 million in federal funding to reimburse Hopkins County for debris removal, as a result of the Dec. 10-11, 2021, tornadoes.

Disaster survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after a disaster.

More than $5 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided to the state of Florida and to households affected by Hurricane Ian to help survivors jumpstart their recovery.

Renters who received disaster assistance from FEMA for flood-damaged personal property, that returned or continued living in the same address, must notify FEMA of their intention to stay in the affected rental property.

FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Georgia to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on Jan. 12, 2023.

FEMA has approved more than $2.3 million in federal funding to reimburse the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management for emergency protective measures, as a result of the Dec. 10-11, 2021 tornadoes.