FEMA is here to help and may save your day in the early days but be careful for your long term recovery.

How to read FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Maps

Question: Is the unshaded area in the FIRM out of the flood zone?

By Murray Wennerlund published 10-11-2017 updated 3-10-2023
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Have you seen the new FEMA FLOOD Insurance Rating Structure and Risk Rating 2.0 details?

No matter what side of the fence you are leaning against, its time to review and update the way we look at flood insurance. Its also time we think long term recovery instead of just getting back into your home then wait for the next disaster to happen.

By Murray Wennerlund published 10-13-2022 updated 10-14-2022
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Missing your FEMA Home Inspection after a declared disaster that damaged your home?

Disaster survivors from 2020 an beyond may not have had a complete FEMA damage inspection due to FEMA COVID-19 policy. FEMA may have called you for your telephone damage assessment and if you didnt answer your phone you could have documented the damage

By Murray Wennerlund published 11-14-2022 updated 11-15-2022
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FEMA remote home damage inspection interim policy impacted thousands of Louisiana homeowners negatively.

The true impact of the FEMA Remote Inspection Interim Policy is just coming to light. Emergency managers and state disaster response agencies are still unaware of the total failure with remote inspections that Louisianans were forced into since 2020.

By Murray Wennerlund published 12-19-2022 updated 12-19-2022
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FEMA Individual and Households Program IHP Grants explained Part 1 of 2

FEMA may have awarded you up to 42,500 in Individual and Households grants called IHP and they may have listed that this grant is for Home Repairs. Your letter will say home repairs and you might think everything in your home is repairable, right?

By Murray Wennerlund published 9-18-2018 updated 10-30-2024
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Duplication of Benefits with FEMA IHP Individuals and Households Grant Program

Many homeowners received large amounts of money shortly after the flood. If you login to your FEMA account you may find a letter similar to the one posted here.

By Murray Wennerlund published 4-15-2018 updated 10-31-2022
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You recently registered with FEMA for assistance with your disaster losses

You were told that you had to apply for a SBA Loan to be eligible for possible grants from FEMA. They may have mentioned Vehicle Grants, Home Repair Grants or any number of grants that only FEMA offered but you had to apply for a SBA Loan first.

By Writers Pool published 4-19-2018 updated 3-21-2019
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FEMA Individual and Households Program IHP Grants explained Part 2 spending for reimbursement earnings.

After you have read part one this is the part that ties it all together. This is from our 2016 Floods and our experience with FEMA Grants and the Duplication of Benefits issue we all face when HUD CDBG-DR grants become available.

By Murray Wennerlund published 9-19-2018 updated 10-28-2024
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Follow Elevation Standards from HUD not from FEMA or your local zoning unless they exceed HUD standards

Its not to often you will read, Follow HUD standards. Most of us that have been in a disaster know HUD standards are low quality and economical grade. But when it comes to flood elevation requirements they are often the best numbers to use.

By Supervisor published 4-29-2018 updated 3-21-2019
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Give $30K to a disaster victim that lost everything and they are going replace what is important to them.

They spend it on what they feel is important to get back to normalcy. Everyone from the Governors office to FEMA was preaching for everyone to work on getting back into their homes and to get back to a normal life.

By Writers Pool published 5-1-2018 updated 3-21-2019
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