WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is raising awareness that Hurricane Harvey disaster survivors, and their friends and family, must be alert for false rumors, scams, identity theft, and fraud. Although many Americans are working hard to help their neighbors now, during chaotic times, some will always try to take advantage of the most vulnerable. To dispel some of the false rumors circulating on the internet and social media, FEMA created a dedicated website to address some of the most common themes. Remember, if it sounds too good to be...

WASHINGTON – As remnants of Harvey continue to affect Texas and Louisiana, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue to mobilize thousands of personnel and resources to support state, local and tribal efforts throughout the region.More than 230 shelters are open across the affected and surrounding areas and housed tens of thousands of people last night.  Emergency management officials caution that residents of Texas and Louisiana are still not out of harm’s way.  Download the FEMA mobile app (in English and Spanish)...

Washington –As Tropical Storm Harvey continues to batter eastern Texas and southwest Louisiana, life safety and access to safe shelters remain a priority of local responders, Texas officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the entire federal family.More than 230 shelters are currently open across the affected and surrounding areas. Download the FEMA mobile app (available in English and Spanish) to register for assistance, and for directions to open shelters, a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also...

FEMA may provide Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) to applicants who are unable to return to their pre-disaster primary residence because their home is either unihabitaable or inaccessible due to a Presidentially-declared disaster. TSA is intended to reduce the number of disaster survivors in congregate shelters by transitioning survivors into short-term accomodations through direct payments to lodging providers. TSA does not count toward an applicant’s maximum amount of assistance available under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP).TSA is funded under Section 403 of the Stafford Act and is subject to a state...

FEMA may provide financial assistance to individuals and households who, as a result of the disaster, have immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary dwelling. Immediate or critical needs are life-saving and life-sustaining items including, but not limited to: water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items, and fuel for transportation. Critical Needs Assistance (CNA) is awarded under the Other Needs Assistance provision of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and is subject to a state cost share....