Disaster Resources for Governments, Businesses, and Private Nonprofits
In the wake of a disaster, affected communities and businesses face some of their most challenging times and often need clear information about what to do next.
While the road to recovery from natural disasters can be complex and overwhelming, our multidisciplinary team of professionals has compiled resources and disaster recovery insights to help your organization and community address immediate needs and potentially reduce some of the time it takes to initiate your response.
The curated information below covers federal disaster response, assistance programs, business interruption, and other pressing concerns to help you determine which steps to take first in the early stages of responding to disasters.
Getting Started
Explore Critical Disaster Resources
State and Federal Resources
Supporting Public and Nonprofit Entities Through Disaster Recovery
Frequently Asked Questions About Disaster Relief
Explore Critical Disaster Resources
- Disaster Assistance Finder Use this tool to identify available disaster relief options based on your location and the type of disaster.
- Interactive Maps for Disaster Declarations:
- Disaster Declarations by State and County: View an interactive map detailing disaster declarations across states and counties.
- Disaster Declaration Process Guide: Download a PDF guide explaining the process for disaster declarations.
- National Risk Index Map: Visualizes natural hazard risks across the United States.
- Current Disasters: Stay updated on major disaster declarations and how to apply for federal assistance.
- CDBG-DR Laws, Regulations, and Federal Register Notices: View requirements governing past disasters and monitor this page for new disaster appropriations and allocations.
State and Federal Resources
Discover essential federal and state resources designed to provide financial assistance, housing support, tax relief, and more to help communities and organizations recover from the impacts of a disaster.
- SBA Disaster Loans: Loan assistance for businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters affected by disasters.
- FEMA Public Assistance: Covers certain recovery costs for state, tribal, territorial, and local governments and some private nonprofits.
- Financial Assistance After a Disaster: Comprehensive federal assistance information.
- HUD Disaster Resources: Information and immediate assistance for individuals, families, housing providers, and industry partners.
- IRS Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses: Tax filing and payment relief for declared disaster areas.
- USDA Disaster Resource Center: Information and assistance for communities, small businesses, farmers, and ranchers.
- State Resource Finder: Filter by state to find location-specific disaster declarations and available assistance.
Essential Steps for Effective Disaster Recovery
Compliance and Internal Controls
Make sure your organization is compliant with federal disaster funding requirements:
- Document All Resources and Work: Accurately track and document all resources used and work performed, including descriptions, specific locations, and hours, to meet FEMA Public Assistance cost-sharing requirements.
- Understand Eligible Match Contributions: Ensure that grants, cash donations, and donated services, equipment, and supplies from non-federal sources are used appropriately to meet match requirements.
- Follow Funding Updates: Stay updated with the latest interim final rules, such as those for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, and Federal Register Notices for HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) to maintain compliance with eligible uses and avoid duplication of benefits.
Federal and State Funding Programs
- To apply for an SBA disaster loan, register with FEMA, gather necessary information, and submit your application online, in person, or by mail through the SBA Disaster Assistance page. Your business, home or personal property must be located in a declared disaster area and have suffered damage or economic injury due to the disaster.
- Governments and some private nonprofits can apply for FEMA public assistance to help cover costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure.
Business Continuity
Leverage your business continuity plan to speed operational recovery after a disaster.
- Implement Crisis Management Procedures: Set into motion any existing procedures to manage crises effectively, ensuring that all employees know their roles and responsibilities.
- Identify Communication Protocols: Set up clear communication channels for internal and external stakeholders, including customers, media, and public officials.
- Leverage Data Backups and Site Recovery: Confirm that critical data backups are online and initiate site recovery to maintain or restart operations when it’s safe to do so.
- File a business interruption claim. An interruption occurs when an organization experiences an economic loss due to an insurable event. Learn about key documentation needed after a natural disaster and consider designating a response team to manage this process.
- Review and Update Continuity Plans: After the recovery phase, review your business continuity plan to account for any changes and lessons learned.
Managing Financial Recovery in Times of Crisis
Here are some best practices for managing federal funding, grants, and business recovery finances:
- Maintain Compliance with Uniform Guidance: Adhere to the Uniform Guidance provisions to meet federal grant compliance requirements and avoid potential penalties.
- Implement Effective Subrecipient Monitoring: Regularly monitor subrecipients to mitigate risks, enhance accountability, and safeguard the integrity of the funding process.
- Follow Best Practices for Grant Closeout: Review the grant closeout terms and conditions listed in the Notice of Award or grant agreement you receive at the time of funding and applicable regulations and Federal Register Notices to strengthen compliance and set the stage for future funding success.
- Maintain Detailed Documentation: Keep thorough records of all financial transactions and activities related to the disaster to maintain transparency and accountability
From Crisis to Recovery: Helping Fulton County Residents Access Emergency Rental Assistance
Supporting Public and Nonprofit Entities Through Disaster Recovery
Immediate Actions for Governmental Entities
To quickly facilitate recovery within communities impacted by a disaster, it’s important for government entities to access and utilize available federal funding efficiently. Starting immediately, your agency should consider the following steps:
- Initiate emergency procurement. Make sure contracts include required federal clauses, avoid cost-plus-percentage-of-cost terms, seek multiple quotes when possible, tailor procurement to your specific needs, and shift to competitive procurement as soon as possible.
- Activate your pre-positioned contracts. If you have pre-positioned contracts in place, activate them immediately. Document all actions and amendments. Make sure the work performed is within the scope of the contract. If you need additional support, follow emergency procurement guidelines.
- Start your damage assessment and thoroughly document. FEMA might take several months to complete in-person site assessments, and by then you may have already repaired much of the damage. Because detailed damage reports are crucial for FEMA funding, they now accept applicant-provided documentation, which can speed up the process and make sure all damage is properly captured.
- Apply for assistance. Apply for assistance as soon as possible but before the deadline by submitting a Request for Public Assistance through your state’s application portal.
Utilizing Prepositioned Contracts as a Disaster Preparedness Strategy
Immediate Actions for Private Nonprofit Organizations
Private nonprofit organizations are often uniquely positioned to be impacted by a disaster and support their community in the aftermath. Although you may be focused on providing services to others, getting your organization back to full operations as quickly as possible is important. Below, we provide important initial steps your organization should consider.
- Assess your team and resources. Evaluate your organization’s capacity to resume operations and community support.
- Update your website to reflect recovery and support. Communicate any efforts related to the disaster and continuously update as your efforts progress through the recovery phase.
- Determine if your organization is eligible for FEMA Public Assistance. Generally, you must have an IRS ruling letter under 501(c), (d), or (e) and provide critical services under FEMA rules, such as education, emergency, or medical service, or provide essential social service to the general public. Apply for assistance as soon as possible but before the deadline by submitting a Request for Public Assistance through your state’s application portal.
- Implement controls to mitigate fraud. If you are establishing a recovery program and will be distributing benefits, including financial payments, ensure you have proper controls in place to prevent fraud or duplication of benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disaster Relief
What steps should I take immediately after a disaster?
- Document everything. Take steps to ensure the maximum reimbursement, including proper documentation of damages and procurement as well as saving all receipts. Quickly engage with any necessary third-party contractors to support your efforts.
- Review your business interruption insurance coverage. Look to your business insurance policies for funds to help rebuild and cover losses, including business interruption resulting from damage to owned property.
How can I avoid disaster-related scams?
Recovery scams are to be expected after any disaster. Here are a few tips to avoid scams:
- Stay alert: Use caution when opening suspicious links and attachments especially when the email contains a disaster-related subject line.
- Do your research: Know that FEMA does not require an application fee and familiarize yourself with other key details to spot a scammer easily.
- Be skeptical: Do not believe the first thing you hear. Talk to more than one contractor and ask for proof of license, insurance, and the contract. If they make excuses as to why that is not necessary- walk away.
- Keep sensitive information to yourself: Do not disclose personal information as bad-faith actors can contact you via calls or emails. Know that FEMA will only contact you if you have called FEMA first or if you have already applied for assistance.
- Visit FEMA's Rumor Control Page: Stay informed and report suspicious activity here.
- Visit the HUD Office of Inspector General Notices & Alerts Page: Stay informed and report fraud by calling 1-800-347-3735.
How can I maintain compliance with disaster funding programs?
- Understand Federal Regulations: Familiarize yourself with federal regulations governing disaster recovery, such as FEMA Public Assistance, HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
- Develop Strong Internal Controls: Implement best practices for internal controls and financial management practices to monitor proper use of funds and compliance with program requirements.
- Subrecipient Monitoring: Establish procedures for monitoring subrecipients to make sure that they meet all applicable requirements. This includes risk assessments, clear communication of terms and conditions, and maintaining accurate records.
- Training and Communication: Provide training and clear communication to all stakeholders involved in the disaster recovery process to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.
- Regular Audits and Reviews: Conduct regular audits and reviews to identify and address any compliance issues promptly.
- Closeout Procedures: Follow best practices for closing out grant programs, completing all documentation and maintaining compliance with federal requirements.
What tax relief options are available after a disaster?
- The IRS will announce any disaster tax relief for affected taxpayers in areas that are part of a major disaster declaration. The IRS relief applies to federal tax returns and payments only. States may have their own tax relief options.
- The relief is automatically provided for any taxpayer with an IRS address located in the disaster area; however, if a taxpayer moved to an affected area and their IRS address of record is not in the disaster area, they may receive a notice from the IRS for late filing or payment during the postponement period. The taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated if this occurs.
Disaster Advisory Insights
Helpful content from municipal, state, and governmental agencies, as well as other outside sources.
