RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

ST. LOUIS – If you have applied for help after recent disasters in Missouri, stay in touch with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration about your on-going recovery needs.

Helpful Tips: 

Read your letter from FEMA carefully.Provide contractor estimates for disaster-related repairs.Must include the contractor’s contact information.When contacting FEMA, provide your nine-digit FEMA registration ID number.Keep receipts for disaster-related purchases (items to make repairs to home, hotel receipts, etc.).Contact FEMA if your current housing situation, phone number, or mailing address have changed. 

You can stay in touch with FEMA by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.

Visit a Disaster Recovery CenterLOCATIONSHOURS OF OPERATIONUnion Tabernacle M.B. Church
626 N. Newstead Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 
Sunday: ClosedUrban League Entrepreneurship and 
Women’s Business Center 
4401 Natural Bridge Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63115Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 
Sunday: ClosedSumner High School — Parking Lot
4248 Cottage Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63113Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 
Sunday: ClosedSt. Louis County Library
Mid-County Branch
7821 Maryland Ave.
Clayton, MO 63105Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Closing Permanently: Thursday, July 24St. Louis County Library
Prairie Commons Branch
915 Utz Ln.
Hazelwood, MO 63042Tuesday-Thursday:  8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Closing Permanently: Thursday, July 24U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Centers

If you do not qualify for FEMA assistance, or to supplement FEMA assistance, a disaster loan from the SBA may be available. SBA’s Business Recovery Centers and Disaster Loan Outreach Centers serve as a one-stop shop for disaster assistance.

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

As FEMA assistance applications are processed, individual situations can change. It is important that you keep FEMA informed of your current contact information. This will ensure any benefits you are eligible for reach you without delay.

The fastest way to provide missing or new information is to create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov and upload documents there. If you do not have internet access or need services not available on FEMA’s website, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

If more information is needed to process your application, FEMA may call you. These calls may come from unfamiliar phone numbers. It’s important that you answer these calls. FEMA will ask to verify your identity by stating your damaged dwelling address, the last four digits of your social security number, and possibly your registration number. To avoid fraud and scams, verify callers are from FEMA before sharing any information.

Tennesseans in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties who experienced damage from the April 2-24 severe storms have until Aug. 19 to apply for FEMA assistance. 

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance

Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. In-person help is available at any Disaster Recovery Center for submitting applications, getting updates and asking questions. Find a center here: DRC Locator (fema.gov).

Video: What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA AssistanceASL

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

“Forever chemicals” are everywhere — from Teflon pans and dental floss to raincoats and microwave popcorn bags. Known as PFAS, these chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are noted for their resistance to heat, oil and water. That same staying power makes them a growing concern. PFAS have been linked to a range of serious health risks, including increased risk of certain cancers, fertility issues, immune system dysfunction and developmental problems. Because PFAS remain in water, soil and air for a long time (hence the name “forever chemicals”), removing them from the environment has become a public priority.  

Earlier this year, a team of scientists from Rice University (including U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program alum Kevin Wyss) announced the development of a new method to break down PFAS that is not only extremely effective (removing 99.98% of the most common PFAS pollutant), but also creates the valuable manufacturing material graphene, one of the world’s strongest and lightest materials.  

This pioneering method involves combining PFAS with granular activated carbon and salts, then heating it to over 3,000 degrees Celsius in under a second. The intense heat breaks the chemical bonds in PFAS, turning them into harmless fluoride salts. At the same time, the activated carbon in the mixture is turned into graphene, which is used in industries such as manufacturing, electronics

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.