Disaster Assistance. Water damage to furnaces from flooding.

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58935

Disaster assistance may help prepare flood-damaged furnaces for winter 

Release Date: October 22, 2011
Release Number: 4021-060

» More Information on New Jersey Hurricane Irene


NEPTUNE, N.J. — With this week’s seasonal winds and rain and the impending arrival of winter, New Jersey homeowners should ensure that their home-heating systems are in good working order. 

This is especially true of systems that may have been damaged by Hurricane Irene and the resulting floods.
Federal disaster assistance may cover furnace repairs that are related to severe storms and flooding that happened from Aug. 27 through Sep. 5, according to disaster officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Federal help may be available for cleaning and testing a flood-damaged furnace for repairs, or for replacement if the furnace is destroyed.  New Jersey residents who had flood damage to their furnaces should register for assistance from FEMA by the Nov. 30 deadline.

If the need for repair or replacement is discovered after a homeowner receives federal aid to cover cleaning and testing expenses, the resident has the option of filing an appeal for additional disaster funds. 

The appeal must be made within 60 days of the date of the award or determination letter.

Registering with FEMA is the first step.  There are three ways to register for assistance – go to www.disasterassistance.gov, to m.fema.gov or call FEMA toll-free, 800-621-3362 (FEMA). 

Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 or use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available.

Trauma: Stress. Disaster Recovery

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58932

Disasters Touch Everyone - Look Out for Signs of Stress 

Release Date: October 21, 2011
Release Number: 4025-077

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene


HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The initial trauma from Pennsylvania's two late-summer disasters - Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee - has passed, but the psychological effects can linger.

Stress caused by loss or a traumatic experience can sneak up on people and influence behavior and emotions. The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable to stress after a disaster and may require special considerations.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have developed a list of things to look for and tips for helping yourself and others get through this difficult time. Some common signs of stress are:

• Trouble concentrating or remembering things.
• Difficulty making decisions.
• Replaying the events and circumstances of the disaster over and over in your mind.
• Anxiety or fear, especially when things remind you of the traumatic experience.
• Feeling depressed, sad or down much of the time.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Nightmares.
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs.
• Feeling overwhelmed.

Stress isn't just emotional. It can manifest in physical sensations like fatigue, stomachaches or diarrhea, headaches, sweating or chills, chest pain, or a rapid heartbeat. Changes in behavior also can signal that you are under stress. Do you withdraw or isolate yourself, even from family and friends? Are you restless or prone to emotional outbursts? Do you startle easily?

Here are some common-sense measures to help you overcome stress and get you back to yourself again.

• Friends and family are good medicine. Talk with them about your feelings. Sharing common experiences helps you deal with and overcome anxiety and feelings of helplessness.
• Get back into your daily routines as soon as you can.
• Maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep.
• Find ways to relax. Do a fun thing after a difficult or stressful task.
• Get some physical exercise every day. Walking is a great stress reliever and you can do it with a friend or relative.

Know that feeling stressed, depressed, guilty or angry is common after a traumatic event. Watch out for problems that are more than you can handle. If signs of stress are serious or if they persist, you should see a counselor or other mental health professional.

For more information about behavioral health services available in your area, please contact your county crisis hotline or mental health office. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov, and www.readypa.org.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.