California Wildfires: Eligibility for SBA Disaster Loans and Disaster Recovery Centers

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While we still await updates, these California fires are being named the deadliest in the state’s history. At time of writing, the number of deaths from the Camp Fire in Northern California has risen to 77 while over 900 people remain missing. According to recent updates by Cal Fire, the Camp Fire has burned approximately 151,000 acres, causing over 40,000 residents to abandon their homes and find safety.

The Woosley Fire has burned more than 96,000 acres and numerous homes, and the Hill Fire in Ventura County has burned over 4,000 acres, including RVs and outbuildings. While the Hill Fire is fully contained, the Camp Fire is 66 percent contained and the Woolsey Fire is 94 percent contained. No matter how close your home or business is to wildland areas, it’s always best to be prepared in case of emergency evacuation, prepare your home to mitigate potential for damage, and have knowledge of your local and national recovery resources.

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September 2018: National Preparedness Month

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This September marks National Preparedness Month, dedicated to reminding Americans about the importance of being prepared in case of a natural disaster, while providing the tools so that they can protect their homes, businesses and communities throughout the year.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are joining efforts for National Preparedness Month with a focus on the theme “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

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2018 California Fires: Resources for Safety Preparedness and Financial Recovery

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California has dealt with an onslaught of fires in the past few weeks. The Mendocino Complex Fire, Carr Fire, Ferguson Fire and Holy Fire are some of the largest that have been ravaging the state from North to South. While Cal Fire firefighters still work hard to contain these fires and affected homeowners plan their next steps, it is important to know about the available resources for financial and physical damage recovery.

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2018 NAWRB Conference Live Updates: Building Infrastructure, Maintaining Agriculture & Disaster Recovery

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The second to last panel to grace our stage was the Building Infrastructure, Maintaining Agriculture & Disaster Recovery Panel, featuring Michelle Corridon, Deputy Director, USDA Rural Development; Noemi Lujan-Perez, VP of Government and Media Relations, EcoDiversity; James K. Joseph, Regional Administrator, FEMA Region V; Sharron P.A.  Levine, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA); and Desiree Patno, CEO & President, NAWRB. These professionals shared how their agencies respond to natural disasters and provide financial assistance to affected homeowners and business owners, while also letting attendees know about contracting opportunities and how they can be involved in developing trends in infrastructure.

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