LibGuides: Natural Disasters: Natural Disasters

Preparedness & Assistance

NJ Emergency Preparedness
Information for the State of New Jersey on disaster preparedness and recovery for individuals, schools, businesses and municipal officials.
Federal Disaster Assistance
Provides disaster assistance information from the U.S. Government. Details over 60 different forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies. Reduces the number of forms to file and shortens the time to apply.
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
(202) 646-2500
(800) 621-FEMA

Donating to Relief Organizations

American Red Cross
As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters.
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator evaluates the financial health of over 5,500 of America's largest charities, helping you decide where to send your donations.

Flood Elevation Maps Resources

Basic Flood Elevation Information
Lookup address to see what the Basic Flood Elevation is for an address-- click the Hurricane Sandy tab, then “What is my base Flood Elevation (BFE)?”, Address Lookup Tool,” and type in an address to see which zone is applicable.
National Flood Insurance Plan
This is the official site of the National Flood Insurance Plan.
Toll free number: 1-888-379-9531.
NJ Flood Mapping
This is the website for NJ Flood Mapping; gives specific information by county.
Governor's Office for Recovery & Rebuilding

Help for Hurricane Sandy Victims in Atlantic County

The Atlantic City Office of Emergency Management is providing displaced Atlantic City residents or those having other housing needs caused by recent Hurricane Sandy a hot line to address storm impacted residences. The phone number for the hot line is 609-347-6865 but before calling residents are advised to have the following required information ready for verification: An ID with the address of the damaged home; a utility bill; tax bill or lease; insurance policy number.

Housing & Legal Assistance for those affected by Hurricane Sandy

Were You Displaced by Hurricane Sandy?

A new Hurricane Sandy recovery program is available to assist displaced residents pay rent if they are rebuilding or elevating their properties with state grants. The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Rental Assistance Program provides short-term rental assistance in the form of a grant to homeowners participating in the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) or the Low-to-Moderate Income Homeowners Rebuilding (LMI) Program. SSBG Rental Assistance Program funds are available only to help with rent going forward and may not be used as a reimbursement for previously paid rent. To qualify for the program, homeowners need their current mortgage and the lease for a rental property located in New Jersey.

Applications for the rental program are available online at:
http://www.njhousing.gov/homeownership/owners/ssbg/

The Christie Administration announced January 5, 2015, the launch of the LMI Homeowners Rebuilding Program and the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, two affordable housing recovery efforts to assist low- to moderate-income (LMI) families impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Homeowners must qualify as low- to moderate-income based on their household adjusted gross annual income at the time they submit an application. For more information, including the chart providing the income limits that apply to the program, visit http://www.renewjerseystronger.org/homeowners/lmi-homeowners-rebuilding-program/, Or call the ReNewJerseyStronger Hot Line 1-855-3946, M-F, 9:00AM-6:00PM. Please click on the following link to apply: https://apps.siroms.com/LMI/Account/Login.aspx

The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program, also announced January 5, provides short-term, temporary tenant-based rental assistance in the form of a voucher to assist eligible low- and moderate-income households with rent in the nine counties (including Atlantic County) most impacted by Superstorm Sandy. The tenant-based rental assistance is for 12 months with an option to renew for up to an additional 12 months. Tenants must qualify as low- to moderate-income, which means their household gross income must be at or below 80 % of the Area Median Income for their county. The income limits are established by household size and are revised annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For more information, including the chart providing the income limits that apply to the program, visit: http://www.renewjerseystronger.org/renters/sandy-tenant-based-rental-assistance-program/. Or Call the ReNewJerseyStronger Hot Line 1-855-726-3946, M-F 9:00AM-6:00PM. TO APPLY, please click on the following link: https://www.formsite.com/dcanet/SANDY-TBRA/index.html. PLEASE NOTE: This electronic intake form will be accepted from January 5, 2015 until midnight on April 6, 2015. No paper intake forms will be accepted, and only one form may be submitted. All completed intake forms electronically submitted on time will be entered into a database. A lottery system will be used to randomly select approximately 1,400 households.

The Sandy Homeowner/Rental Assistance Program (SHRAP) is a temporary relief program to help those experiencing a housing crisis as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Recipients of the program will receive assistance with costs associated with:

Maintaining temporary housing while their primary residence is repaired/rebuilt
Maintaining a primary residence for the household to return to when repair/reconstruction is completed.
Maintaining housing after a reduction in income

Eligible households will be provided with assistance for paying mortgage, rent, retroactive or current utility payments and the purchase of essential furnishings/appliances.

To learn more about this program and the documentation that must be provided, please see http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dfd/programs/shrap/

To learn more or to be considered for this program in Atlantic County, please go to or call Atlantic County building 1333 Atlantic Ave, 3rd floor, 609-345-6700 ext. 2717.

For information about the new FEMA flood maps (not yet final), and to see how they will affect your flood risk, please see
http://www.region2coastal.com/sandy/table --you can type in address and get information for your location. Please note that these maps have been revised and reduced the number high risk "Velocity" Zones, which would have required homes on pilings to guard against 3-foot waves.

Books and DVDs Not to Miss

Cascadia's fault : the earthquake and tsunami that could devastate North America by Jerry Thompson
Thompson, a journalist and documentary film producer, presents this frightening look at the Cascadia subduction zone its risk for major American West coast cities via tremendous earthquakes and devastating tsunami waves. Drawing from current seismology research and the effects of recent massive quakes in Chile, Sumatra and Japan, this book outlines the risks to this seemingly quiet section of the "Ring of Fire" and argues for better disaster preparedness as the only way to survive the coming disaster.
Extreme weather : a guide to surviving flash floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, snowstorms, tsunamis, and other natural disasters by Bonnie Schneider
"Flash floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, mudslides, thunderstorms, and wildfires--these devastating events are happening around the world at an alarming rate. As CNN's meteorologist, Bonnie Schneider reports daily on these natural disasters, explaining when they're likely to strike, and telling viewers how to respond when they do. In Extreme Weather, Schneider distills that information into a guide for readers. She interviews experts from a wide variety of agencies--from FEMA to NOAA--to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science behind weather patterns and the latest thinking on how to act in dangerous conditions. Ranging from topics that cover every season and every climate, Schneider guides the reader on the best course of action during weather emergencies, including: *how to handle extreme weather scenarios in your car, outside, or at home *how to predict potential dangers when planning a camping trip or vacation *what you need to have at home to prepare for floods, earthquakes, or severe storms*how to create a family evacuation plan for different emergencies, and *making sure your pet is taken care of in time of disaster. Extreme Weather also provides details on what to have in emergency safety kits as well as how to make a family disaster plan".
Japan's killer quake [videodisc] by PBS
In its worst crisis since World War II, Japan faces disaster on an epic scale: a rising death toll in the tens of thousands, massive destruction of homes and businesses, shortages of water and power, and the specter of nuclear reactor meltdowns. It combines on-the-spot reporting, personal stories, compelling eyewitness videos, and exclusive helicopter footage for a unique look at the science behind the catastrophe.
The disaster survival bible by Junius Podrug (Editor)

Hurricanes

National Hurricane Center
Ready Atlantic
Atlantic County’s one- stop source of information for emergencies or disasters that may affect Atlantic County.
New Jersey Office of Emergency Managment
NJ Hurricane Preparedness
Find important information and guidelines to follow before and after a hurricane from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
Ready.gov Hurricanes
Hurricane Basics

Floods

NJ Flood Preparedness
Flood safety information from the NJ Office of Emergency Management.
Flood smart
Information on flooding, flood risks, preparation and recovery from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Natural Disasters: Natural Disasters