1945.19—Reporting potential natural disasters and initial actions.
(a) Purpose.
The purpose of reporting potential natural disasters is to provide a systematic procedure for rapid reporting of the occurrence and extent of damage and loss caused by such events which may result in a natural disaster determination.
(b) Responsibility for assessing and reporting disasters.
USDA SFACs and LFACs representing their members agencies are best qualified at the State and County levels to accomplish the assessment of agricultural production losses resulting from a potential natural disaster. These councils are charged with the responsibility of reporting the occurrence of and assessing the damage caused by disasters and will perform this responsibility under policies and procedures as set forth in the EOH.
(1)
When physical losses only occur, the FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 County Supervisor will report to the State Director who will advise the Administrator that there has been a potential natural disaster with physical property losses to one or more farmers. This report must be made to the Administrator within 3 months from the last day of the disaster incidence period. Upon receiving the report, the Administrator will decide whether a natural disaster has occurred. If it has, the Administrator will make EM loans available to any otherwise qualified applicant who has suffered qualifying physical losses. Availability of EM loans assistance under this Administrator action shall be limited to physical losses only. Notices that EM loans are available will identify the county in which the unusual and adverse weather condition, or natural phenomenon has occurred and also each contiguous county.
(2)
When physical and/or production losses occur, the FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 County Supervisor will report to the LFAC chairperson, as specified in the EOH, all substantial physical property loss, damage or injury and severe production losses that have occurred in the County Office area. The County Supervisor will assist the LFAC in preparing the 24-hour report required in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. If the LFAC has not completed its 24 hour report within two workdays after the occurrence of a potential natural disaster, the County Supervisor will report to the State Director of Form FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 1945-27, “Report of Natural Disaster.” In urgent situations, the report may be made by telephone, followed by the LFAC report or Form FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 1945-27. Either of these reports will be based on information obtained from personal knowledge and from farmers, agricultural and community leaders, and from any other personally contacted reliable source(s). The County Supervisor will convey to the LFAC chairperson all information pertaining to the potential disaster and provide the chairperson with a copy of Form FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 1945-27, if prepared.
(i)
The USDA Washington Offices of ASCS, FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; and
(5)
The FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Director will inform the National Office of each potential natural disaster as soon as possible and forward to the National Office a copy of the LFAC report or Form FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 1945-27, with any attachments, and supplemented with the State Director's comments and recommendations. The State Director must include a statement as to the number of farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture operators affected by the potential natural disaster. In urgent situations, the State Director will report to the National Office, Emergency Designation Staff, by telephone, and immediately thereafter send a written report to the National Office, Emergency Designation Staff. The State Director will continually notify the SFAC Vice Chairperson, Emergency Programs, of any additional information received concerning the potential natural disaster.
(6)
When inquiries are received from persons affected by a potential natural disaster, they will be provided the following information:
(A)
The kind of assistance that will be available if the President declares a major disaster or emergency, or if the Secretary determines that a natural disaster has occurred.
(C)
That applications for EM loans may be filed for future processing if such loans are made available, or may be filed at a later date after the necessary determinations have been made.
(D)
Whether regular FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 farm loan assistance is available.
(ii)
State Office, or the National Office, will furnish the same information as the County Office, or will refer the person to the appropriate County Office.
(7)
When inquiries are received from a Governor, a County Governing Body or Indian Tribal Council concerning a potential natural disaster, they will be informed of the procedure for making EM loans available.
(8)
The actions required in paragraph (b) of this section will be taken even if the Governor of a State has requested the President to declare a county(ies) a major disaster or Presidential emergency area.