Federal Emergency Management Agency News

FEMA Sets Up Interim Flood Insurance Advocate

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched the interim office of the Flood Insurance Advocate. The interim office will be led by Acting Flood Insurance Advocate David Stearrett beginning Dec. 22. Stearrett most recently served as chief of Floodplain …

North Dakota to Receive $1.2M for Flood Mitigation Efforts

North Dakota is receiving $1.2 million in federal funds for flood mitigation efforts and home buyouts in Cass County. Members of the state’s congressional delegation announced the funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds are to be used …

SBA Loans Impacting Grant Money for Sandy Victims

When Superstorm Sandy left Denise Erickson’s home with a collapsed foundation, a loan from the Small Business Administration looked like the best deal in town. She got more than $150,000 from the SBA to help fix her family’s Bellmore home …

FEMA Provides $3.9M Funds for Tornado Debris Removal in Mississippi

The city of Louisville and Winston County in Mississippi are being given $3.9 million in federal funds to assist with removal of debris from an April tornado. The money has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The announcement …

Sandy Flood Insurers Ordered to Disclose Drafts of Engineering Reports

A Travelers Cos. unit and other flood insurers accused by Hurricane Sandy victims in New York of using falsified engineering reports must turn over the drafts to policyholders, a three-judge panel ruled amid allegations that manipulation may have been widespread. …

Travelers Unit Sued Over Allegedly Manipulated Sandy Report

A Travelers Cos. unit was sued by two New York homeowners who accused it of using a doctored engineering report to reject much of their claim for flood damage from Hurricane Sandy, making it the third insurer to face such …

Lawmakers: Sandy Flood Insurance Concerns Will Be Addressed

Federal emergency officials are taking new steps to address concerns from homeowners still struggling to rebuild after Superstorm Sandy more than two years ago, New Jersey and New York lawmakers announced on Friday, Dec. 5. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., …

Western New York Governments Seek Federal Help for Storm

Communities in western New York are tallying the costs of last month’s epic snowstorm to see if it meets the threshold for federal assistance. The storm cost Erie County government at least $7.5 million in damage, overtime and snow removal …

Hartford Unit Faces Racketeering Suit on Sandy Claims

A couple claiming damage from Hurricane Sandy filed court papers accusing a Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. unit, an engineering firm and a law firm for the insurer of engaging in racketeering by scheming to use fraudulent reports to deny …

Update: Hartford Unit Accused of Using Fudged Hurricane Sandy Report

A Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. unit was accused by a lawyer representing Hurricane Sandy victims of using a falsified damage report to dodge paying homeowner claims, the second insurer blamed in the last month for such a practice. The …