Vacation Preparedness Month
June is "Vacation Preparedness Month" in Illinois, and the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management encourages residents to take steps to be prepared. Here are some simple steps you can take to make sure your vacation is a safe one:
- Medications
- Make sure you pack a few days worth of extra medications, in case you get delayed and wind up being away from home longer than anticipated.
- Keep a written list of your medications, including prescription name and dosage, with you. Be sure to also write down your doctor's name and contact info. and bring it with you.
- Protecting your home
- Have a trusted friend, relative or neighbor check up on your home while you're away.
- Many municipal police departments have "Vacation House Watch" programs, which may help protect your home while you're away. Check with your local police department to see if this service is available.
- Hotel safety
- Don't over-rely on "in-room" hotel safes. Many of their locking mechanisms can be easily defeated.
- Do not leave extra hotel key cards laying around in your hotel room when you go out for the day. Many times, these cards contain your credit card information embedded on the magnetic strip, which can make you an easy target for credit card/identity theft.
- If there is an emergency, such as a fire, and you evacuate your room, be sure to take your room key with you. You may need to be able to get back inside if exits are blocked are blocked or there's too much smoke outside your room.
- If you are given a room that is far away from the front desk, and you don't feel safe there, don't be afraid to ask for a different room. After all, YOU are the customer!
- Traveling via Automobile
- Be sure to bring your cell phone charger and emergency supplies with you (e.g., a first aid kit, a list of emergency contacts and a small fire extinguisher, etc.)
- Make sure someone knows where you're going, the route you plan to take and when you plan to arrive.
- Check the weather forecast each day so that you can be advised of impending severe weather. If severe weather is anticipated, listen to local radio stations. Also, have a NOAA weather radio handy, so that you can receive emergency information.
- If traveling outside of the United States, review the information on the U.S Department of State website. Also, check with your health insurance provider to make sure you're covered for any medical emergencies while traveling abroad.
- To learn more about being prepared for emergencies, please download the Be Red Cross Ready PDF.
Flood Recovery Information
Please see below for a few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pertaining to disaster assistance:
- How do I register for assistance?
- Residents can visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply for assistance. The toll-free telephone number will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week until further notice.
- FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in DuPage County, at the Lisle Police Department (5040 Lincoln Avenue, in Lisle). The DRC is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays, until further notice. Please note that the assistance offered via the DRC locations is identical to assistance available to residents who register via the phone number or website listed above. As such, it may be much easier for residents with telephone or Internet access to apply directly via phone or Internet.
- What happens after I apply for assistance?
- In most cases, a FEMA inspector will contact applicants within a few days of registering to arrange a visit to their damaged home or apartment. A FEMA inspector will always have an official badge visible during the inspection. Residents should request to see identification before allowing the inspector to enter their homes.
- Applicants who qualify for FEMA assistance will receive a federal government check or the funds will be directly deposited into their designated bank account. A separate letter also will be sent to eligible recipients, explaining how they may use the funds.
- I reported damage to my municipality already. Do I still have to call FEMA in order to receive assistance?
- YES. THE ONLY WAY TO RECEIVE FEMA ASSISTANCE IS BY APPLYING THROUGH FEMA (via the phone number or website above, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center when one is opened, later this week). Reporting damage to your municipality assisted in documenting the significant impact needed in order to receive a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Now that the Declaration has been issued, residents must apply for assistance directly through FEMA.
- I don't know if I qualify for assistance. What should I do?
- All residents and business owners with uninsured losses are strongly encouraged to contact FEMA. If you are not sure whether you qualify for assistance, you should call the number listed above. FEMA has trained representatives available who can speak with you to help determine whether you are eligible to receive assistance.
- I've applied for assistance and scheduled a FEMA home inspection. What happens next?
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's disaster declaration issued for the State of Illinois.
(Source: FEMA.gov website)
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:
Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
- Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
- Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
- Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
- Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
- Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
- Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.
The video below is from a briefing conducted for the FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessment teams that visited DuPage County as a part of the Disaster Declaration process.
Please note that the DuPage County Health Department offers free water tests to private well owners who are impacted by the flood.View additional information regarding the free water tests.
Flood Safety & Recovery Resources for Residents
Red Cross
FEMA
Additional Resources
Sharing Connections Furniture Bank (SCFB)- If you are a DuPage family that is in need of clothing or furniture due to the recent flooding,please contact SCFB program team at 630-971-0565 and ask for client services. If clients are able to provide documentation that their residence was affected, all fees will be waived.
Illinois Department of Insurance - DuPage County residents affected by the recent floods can contact the Illinois Department of Insurance to seek information and guidance regarding insurance coverage and laws. The Consumer Assistance Hotline is 866-445-5364 and is available Monday - Friday 8:15a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Illinois Department of Employment Security - Individuals and business owners out of work as a direct result of severe rain storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 might be eligible for federal disaster unemployment assistance.
Disaster Distress Helpline - The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and support.
Connect with DuPage OHSEM on Facebook, Twitter and Nixle
- For the latest updates regarding county-wide emergency information, be sure to subscribe to the Protect DuPage Twitter feed and Facebook account.
- The DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, along with several other public safety agencies in DuPage County, participate in Nixle, a free notification program that sends alerts to residents via text messages and email. To sign up for this free service, simply text your zip code to 888777, or visit www.Nixle.com to register online.
www.ProtectDuPage.org is DuPage County's official website for county-wide emergency alerts and information.