Information About 2009-2010 Winter Storm Disaster Assistance
Check this page regularly for updated information about federal disaster assistance -- including assistance for nonprofit organizations -- for the winter storms of 2009-2010.
February 2010 Storms
Deadline Is July 6 To Apply For Storm Relief
The deadline for applying for federal aid related to the winter storms of February 5 through 11 is July 6.
Certain non-profit organizations eligible for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency must submit a Request of Public Assistance (in Excel) by July 6. (The form is also available in PDF format.)
Federal funds are available to certain non-profits (as well as to state and local governments) on a cost-sharing basis, for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities.
Disaster Relief Briefing June 8 at CCBC - Essex Campus
The Baltimore County Office of Emergency Management will hold a briefing on Tuesday, June 8 for government, institutional and non-profit organizations that may qualify for federal disaster relief related to the February 2010 storms. The briefing will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Community College of Baltimore County Essex Campus, Building N - Room 220, 7201 Rossville Blvd., Rosedale, MD 21237.
Under President Obama's federal disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared that public assistance is available for the following areas: debris removal; emergency protective measures; roads and bridges; water control facilities; buildings and equipment; utilities; parks and recreation; and other storm-related issues.
The types of eligible nonprofit organizations include those focusing on education, emergencies, medical issues, utilities, custodial care, and essential government-like services. Eligible governmental applicants include county governments, school districts and municipal authorities. The federal Public Assistance Program provides supplemental funding for the applicants' disaster response and recovery costs. Potential applicants should have at least $1,000 in expenses.
Organizations that wish to apply for federal aid should send a representative to this briefing. All applicants must complete a Request for Public Assistance (Excel) (PDF Format) (also provided at the briefing).
Applicants unable to attend should complete a Request for Public Assistance (Excel) (PDF Format) and e-mail to scampbell@mema.state.md.us, or fax to 410-517-3610 by July 5, 2010.
Anyone with questions or who requires further assistance may contact:
Sharon Campbell
Disaster Public Assistance Officer
MD Emergency Management Agency
5401 Rue St. Lo Drive
Reisterstown MD 21136
410-517-3604 Office
410-422-6461 Cell
410-517-5119 Fax
1-877-MEMA-USA (636-2872)
scampbell@mema.state.md.us
www.mema.state.md.us
Baltimore County Governments, Nonprofits Eligible for Federal Disaster Aid
Baltimore County government and certain private nonprofit organizations are eligible for federal disaster aid related to the severe winter storms and snowstorms during February 2010.
A Presidential disaster declaration, issued May 5, means that Baltimore County and other jurisdictions -- as well as certain nonprofits -- are eligible for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to defray the cost of damaged facilities and emergency work related to the storm.
Assistance also is available to state and local governments for "emergency protective measures," including snow assistance, and for hazard mitigation measures.
Watch this page for more detailed information about eligibility and the application process.
December 18-20, 2009 Storm
Deadline Is April 19 For Federal Disaster Relief
There is just one week left for localities and private nonprofits to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for damage resulting from the December 18-20, 2009 severe winter storm and snowstorm. The deadline is April 19, 2010.
Reminder: Deadline for SBA Disaster Loans For Nonprofits Is April 20
Private nonprofit organizations have until April 20 to submit disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for physical property damage caused by the December 18-20, 2009 winter storm.
Private nonprofit organizations in Baltimore County and other Maryland counties are eligible for physical and economic injury disaster loans from SBA. Eligible nonprofits provide non-critical services and include food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.
Nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA also provides funds to disaster victims based on 20 percent of verified physical damage. These funds are designed to help borrowers pay for protective measures to minimize similar damages in the future.
Interest rates are as low as 3 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on an applicant's financial condition.
Disaster loan information and forms are available through the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center, 800-659-2955 (for the deaf, 800-877-8339), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Or, send an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications are available online at through the SBA. Mail the completed application to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Applicants may apply for disaster loans online at the SBA's secure web site.
The SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs such as ongoing operating expenses for nonprofits of all sizes. These loans are available whether or not the business suffered physical property damage. The deadline to return economic injury loan applications is November 19, 2010.
Disaster Relief Briefing April 8 at Essex Community College
The Baltimore County Office of Emergency Management will hold a briefing Thursday, April 8 for governments and private nonprofit organizations that may qualify for federal disaster relief related to the December 18-20, 2009 winter storm. The briefing will be held 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Essex Community College, 7201 Rossville Blvd., Building N, Room 220, Rosedale, 21237. (See directions.)
Under the President's federal disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared certain nonprofit organizations eligible for reimbursement and/or low-interest loans incurred during this weather event (FEMA disaster number DR-1875-MD).
Refer to FEMA's Public Policy Assistance Digest for information regarding eligibility and the types of assistance available. Note that reimbursement is available only for emergency protective measures (FEMA Category B costs). SBA low-interest loans may be available for costs incurred for roads and bridges (Categories C), water control facilities (Category D) and building and equipment (Category E).
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Baltimore County Emergency Management will attend and will be available to answer questions and help with the application process.
Potential applicants for federal disaster aid should send a representative to this meeting. Please register by April 5 by calling 410-887-5996 or by e-mail, emergencymanagement@baltimorecountymd.gov. Registration is not required, but is requested so that Emergency Management officials can prepare to meet all applicants' needs.
Briefing March 23 For Applicants for Disaster Assistance
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will hold a briefing Tuesday, March 23 for governments and private nonprofit organizations that may qualify for federal disaster relief related to the December 18-20, 2009 winter storm. The briefing will be held 9:30 to 12:30 p.m. at MEMA at the Camp Fretterd Military Reservation, 5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive, Reisterstown, MD 21136.
Under the disaster declaration, public assistance is available for the following areas: Debris removal; emergency protective measures; roads and bridges; water control facilities; buildings and equipment; utilities; parks and recreation; and other storm-related issues.
Eligible governmental applicants include county governments, school districts and municipal authorities. The types of eligible nonprofit organizations include those focusing on education, emergencies, medical issues, utilities, custodial care, and essential government services. The federal Public Assistance Program provides supplemental funding for the applicants' disaster response and recovery costs.
Organizations that wish to apply for federal aid should send a representative to this briefing. All applicants must complete a Request for Public Assistance (PDF, also provided at the briefing.)
Applicants unable to attend should complete a Request for Public Assistance (PDF) and e-mail to scampbell@mema.state.md.us, or fax to 410-517-3610 by April 17, 2010.
Guidelines For Aid To Nonprofits
Baltimore County emergency management officials met March 3 with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representative assigned to Maryland to guide state and local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations through the process of applying for disaster aid related to the December 18-20, 2009 winter storm.
FEMA will hold briefings for nonprofits, as well as government agencies, on specifics about eligibility and the application process. Please check this page regularly; we will post briefing dates and other information as we receive them from FEMA.
Nonprofits may find it helpful to read the sections of FEMA's Public Assistance Policy Digest dealing with private nonprofits.
Presidential Disaster Declaration -- County Government, Nonprofits Eligible for Aid
Baltimore County is one of eight Maryland counties to receive a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the historic December 18-20, 2009 snowstorm. This declaration means the County is eligible to receive federal funds to help defray the cost of snow removal and other storm-related activity.
In addition the declaration notes that certain nonprofit organizations may be eligible for disaster relief. Baltimore County’s Office Emergency Management is working with MEMA on criteria and a process for this nonprofit assistance. Watch this space for details as they become available.
For more information about the Declaration for the December storm, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
SBA Disaster Loans Available To Nonprofits
In addition to relief to nonprofits available through the Presidential Disaster Declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced on February 26 that certain Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available following a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance resulting from damages caused by the Dec. 18 - 20, 2009 storm; a disaster declaration has not yet been issued for the February 2010 blizzards.
Private, nonprofit organizations located in Baltimore, Caroline, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery and Queen Anne’s counties in Maryland are eligible to apply to SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical nonprofit organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.
Nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA also offers mitigation funds to disaster victims based on 20 percent of the verified physical damage. These funds are designed to help borrowers pay for protective measures to minimize damages of the same kind in the future.
The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs, such as ongoing operating expenses to nonprofit organizations of all sizes. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates are as low as 3 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The Baltimore County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will work with the SBA and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency in the coming weeks to provide details about eligibility and how to apply for this assistance.
Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
PNPs may visit SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply for disaster loans. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 20, 2010. The deadline to return economic injury applications is November 19, 2010.
Revised July 9, 2010
