NOAA says Record-breaking Atlantic Hurricane Season draws to an End

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says Record-breaking Atlantic Hurricane Season draws to an End | site |




NOAA says Improved forecasts, extensive preparedness helped protect lives and property


(Information contained in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) news release: November 24, 2020

The extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is drawing to a close with a record-breaking 30 named storms and 12 landfalling storms in the continental United States. While the official hurricane season concludes on November 30, tropical storms may continue to develop past that day.

Courtesy NOAA*

NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlooks accurately predicted a high likelihood of an above-normal season with a strong possibility of it...

IRS provides Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricane Sally | site |


Oct. 15 deadline, other dates extended to Jan. 15

(September 24, 2020) - - Today, September 24, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the following information:

WASHINGTON — Victims of Hurricane Sally that began on September 14 now have until January 15, 2021 to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

The IRS is offering this relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. Currently this includes Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile counties in Alabama, but taxpayers in localities qualifying for individual assistance added later to the disaster area, elsewhere in the state and in neighboring states, will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. The current list of eligible localities is always...

Hurricane Information

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Declares Fishery Disaster in Florida following Hurricane Michael

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(November 1, 2018) - - Today, in response to a request from Governor Rick Scott on October 23, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that a commercial fishery failure occurred in Florida as a result of Hurricane Michael, which struck the panhandle with devastating force on October 10. “The Department of Commerce stands ready to support communities across Florida in their hour of need,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans receive the necessary aid to recover and rebuild following the destruction and harm caused by Hurricane Michael.” This determination provides the basis for Congress to appropriate fishery disaster assistance for the new fiscal year, which began in October. In 2018, Secretary Ross ha...

U.S. Department of Agriculture says Assistance is Available through NRCS for Ag Land Damaged by Hurricane Michael

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Gainesville, FL - - (October 26, 2018) - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that Florida farmers and ranchers who suffered damage to working lands and livestock mortality due to Hurricane Michael are encouraged to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Agricultural producers in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla and Washington counties are eligible to apply for assistance. The first sign-up period ends Nov. 16, 2018. A second sign-up period will end Dec. 14, 2018. This assistance is available to individual farmers and ranchers to aid in recovery efforts on their properties and does not apply to local gover...

U. S. Department of Agriculture Assistance Available to Restore Infrastructure Damaged by Hurricane Florence

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Assistance Request Deadline is Dec. 5, 2018


Washington, DC - - (October 26, 2018) - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in South Carolina is accepting requests for assistance to help communities implement critical emergency measures and restore eligible infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, houses, and businesses as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Florence and associated flooding.

Requests for assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, which is designed to relieve imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods and other natural occurrences in watershed, must be submitted in writing to the NRCS State Conservationist in South Carolina by Dec. 5, 2018. “NRCS is ...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Activates Aid for Uninsured Floridians Needing Medicine after Hurricane Michael

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(October 18, 2018) - - Thousands of uninsured Floridians are eligible for no-cost replacements of critical medications lost or damaged by Hurricane Michael. This relief comes from the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The program pays for prescription medications for people without health insurance who are affected by disasters. More than 4,900 Florida pharmacies participate in EPAP, and more than 72,000 pharmacies participate nationwide. “The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program provides vital assistance to people without insurance who rely upon certain prescription medicines to protect their health after disa...

Location of Federal Communications Commission Releases in Connection with Hurricane Michael

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(October 18, 2018) - - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that all FCC releases in connection with Hurricane Michael may be found at https://www.fcc.gov/Michael .

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Credit: Federal Communications Commission...

FEMA and Partners Helping Hurricane Michael Survivors

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(October 17, 2018) - - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published the following information:

Washington, DC - - One week after Hurricane Michael hit Florida and Georgia, FEMA and other federal agencies are working alongside state and local responders and volunteers from national and local nonprofit organizations to aid survivors.

News and Resources for Survivors

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are on the ground in Florida and Georgia helping survivors register for assistance. Survivors can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, at a shelter or by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). FEMA will contact all registered survivors to let them know if they are eligible for assistance. FEMA is not writing checks to survivors at any location. So far, more than 48,000 people in F...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Replacement SNAP Benefits in 12 Hurricane-Impacted Florida Counties

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Washington, DC - - (October 16, 2018) - - Households impacted by Hurricane Michael in 12 Florida counties could be eligible for mass replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced. This is one of several steps USDA is taking to ensure Floridians in need have the means to purchase food. “Many Florida residents lost everything, including food they had previously purchased with their SNAP benefits,” said Acting Deputy Under Secretary Brandon Lipps, who oversees USDA’s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. “The replacement of SNAP benefits will help victims restock the food they need as they begin the long process of recovery,” Lipps said. Rather than require SNAP households to report food losses individuall...

U.S. General Services Administration Announces Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts and Special Emergency Procurement Authorities

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GSA’s senior procurement executive signed memo raising certain minimum thresholds to directly support Hurricane Michael relief efforts


Washington, DC - - (October 17, 2018) - - The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has raised the micro purchase threshold, the simplified acquisition threshold, and the simplified leasing acquisition threshold, in order to address the needs created by Hurricane Michael.

Raising the thresholds will help Heads of Contracting Activities and contracting officers quickly gain access to resources needed in providing direct support for Hurricane Michael relief efforts.

The new thresholds do the following:

• increase the micro-purchase threshold to $20,000;
• increase the simplified acquisition threshold

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FEMA Leads Massive Whole Community Response Effort for Hurricane Michael Survivors

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Washington, DC - - (October 15, 2018) - - Thousands of first responders and volunteers continue working together to save lives, restore power and help survivors affected by Hurricane Michael. More than 16,000 federal employees, including over 8,000 military personnel have been deployed to support Hurricane Michael response efforts. Since Michael’s landfall, search and rescue teams from FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard and others, working alongside state responders and volunteers, have completed 110 evacuations, 4,193 rescues/assists, 15,287 shelter in place checks, and 128 animal assists. Structural assessments were completed on 16,827 structures in Florida. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are in Florida helping survivors register for assistance. More than 28,000 individuals and ho...

Federal Emergency Management Agency Issues FAQ for Survivors with Losses from Both Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Matthew

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(October 13, 2018) - - Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published the following information:

Background: Thousands of survivors whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Florence were also affected by Hurricane Matthew two years ago. Many homes were still being repaired when Florence struck. Survivors residing in Special Flood Hazard Areas who received real property and/or personal property assistance after Matthew were automatically enrolled in a 36-month Group Flood Insurance Policy but may not be aware they have coverage through 2019.

Q: If I received real property or personal property assistance from FEMA after Hurricane Matthew, will I be eligible for Home Repair assistance after Hurricane Florence? A: If your home is in ...

FEMA Urges Residents in Hurricane Michael's Path to Prepare Now

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Washington, DC - - (October 8, 2018) - - Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center predict life-threatening storm surge and extremely high winds could occur with Hurricane Michael’s landfall. Michael is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it makes landfall within the next 48 to 72 hours somewhere along the panhandle and the Big Bend area of Florida. Residents who live in those areas should listen to local officials and prepare now. History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for areas along both the Alabama and Florida coastlines. As Michael continues to be a fast-moving storm, it is urgent that residents be prepared for these forecast changes and take the following preparedness steps now:...

Hurricane Florence Survivors Eligible for Small Business Administration Loan Deferments

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Washington, DC - - (September 28, 2018) - - To further support Hurricane Florence recovery efforts, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will offer deferments of up to nine months on SBA-serviced loans held by eligible residents, businesses and private nonprofits.

Borrowers located in a North or South Carolina county designated a federal disaster area after Hurricane Florence, with SBA loans in “regular servicing” status on Sept. 13, 2018, may request a deferment of principal and interest for up to nine months.

Loans eligible for deferment include:

• 7(a) Loans
• 504 Loans
• Community Advantage Loans
• Microloans
• SBA disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations

To request a deferment on non-disaster loans, contact...