FEMA Bulletin Week of Sept. 8: 12 Declarations and Aid Steps

TL;DR: The FEMA Bulletin Week of September 8, 2026 lists 12 new federal declarations and National Preparedness Month actions households can take now.

What the week-ahead bulletin covers

The FEMA Bulletin Week of September 8, 2026 gathers last week's federal actions into one household checklist: new routes to Individual Assistance, new Public Assistance for local infrastructure, one wildfire emergency declaration, recent recovery dollars, and three preparedness blogs for September.

According to the FEMA Bulletin Week of September 8, 2026, President Donald J. Trump approved 12 federal declarations in the prior week, described as 11 major disaster declarations and one emergency declaration. The bulletin states that the major declarations make recovery assistance available to eligible states and one Tribal Nation, while the emergency declaration supplements state and local response efforts.

The bulletin also notes that on September 3, FEMA announced approval of more than $345 million in post-disaster recovery and resilience funding. Separate regional announcements tracked in the same week illustrate how that type of funding is divided between Public Assistance reimbursement and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects, as reported in FEMA Sends $162.8M to Four States for Tornado, Wildfire and Storm Repairs and Trump Administration Delivers Nearly $36 Million Through FEMA to Help Communities Recover from Recent Disasters and Strengthen Their Resilience Against Future Disasters in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

For households, the most time-sensitive items are where Individual Assistance is now open, how to file correctly when more than one disaster number applies, and what to do before the application windows close.

Individual Assistance: Hawaii and Oglala Sioux Tribe

Hawaii earthquake of May 22

The bulletin lists Individual Assistance for Hawaii to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by the earthquake on May 22.

The Office of the Governor – News Release – Gov. Green Announces Federal Major Disaster Declaration For May 22 Kona Earthquake, posted September 3, 2026, identifies the event as a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the Kona region of Hawaii Island on May 22, 2026, and identifies the declaration as FEMA-4936-DR. It states that federal Individual Assistance is available to eligible Hawaii County residents who sustained earthquake-related damage or losses.

That Hawaii release describes possible assistance by circumstance, including temporary housing assistance for homeowners and renters who cannot remain in their homes because of earthquake damage, basic repairs needed to make a primary residence safe, sanitary and functional, repair or replacement of damaged components of residential water-catchment systems, and help with essential disaster-related expenses including personal property, transportation and certain medical, dental or child care costs.

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Lopez is quoted in that release as saying the declaration opens access to critical federal help and urging residents to document losses, contact insurance providers, and apply before the November 1 deadline even if unsure about eligibility. Governor Josh Green thanked federal partners for approving assistance and pointed to continuing damage to homes, water-catchment systems and property.

The Hawaii release sets the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance related to the Kona earthquake as Nov. 1, 2026. It states that applications are free and may be submitted online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, with operators available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST and translation and interpretation services available. It adds that applicants should be prepared to provide photographs or videos of earthquake damage and retain receipts and other documents related to repairs and disaster expenses.

The same release notes that homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations may also qualify for long-term, low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration, with applications through the MySBA Loan Portal and help at 1-800-659-2955. It states that the state and Hawaii County will open Local Recovery Centers with in-person help from FEMA and SBA representatives, with dates, hours and locations to be posted at ready.hawaii.gov. It clarifies that the declaration applies specifically to the May 22 earthquake and is separate from federal and state work related to Tropical Cyclone Lala.

Oglala Sioux Tribe storms of June 2-4

The bulletin also lists Individual Assistance for the Oglala Sioux Tribe to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding from June 2-4.

The bulletin advises survivors to file insurance claims for damage to homes, personal property and vehicles before applying for FEMA assistance, and states that FEMA Individual Assistance cannot pay for expenses that other sources will cover.

The fastest way to apply, according to the bulletin, is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish-language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es. For more information or additional help, the bulletin lists downloading the FEMA App, calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages including relay-service users, and finding in-person support at fema.gov/drc. It points to an accessible video on what to expect at What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.

Households affected by more than one event should pay close attention to declaration numbers. The bulletin instructs applicants to specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure use of the correct declaration number, and to apply separately for each disaster if affected by multiple disasters.

Public Assistance: nine states plus Tribal Nation

The bulletin lists Public Assistance under major disaster declarations for the Oglala Sioux Tribe for the June 2-4 storms, and for Iowa, Kansas in two separate designations, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Colorado. It states that Public Assistance funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

Several September 2-4 FEMA releases name the counties and federal coordinators assigned:

Iowa: Federal assistance supplements recovery from severe storms and flooding from July 1-4, 2026, according to President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Iowa. Public Assistance on a cost-sharing basis is listed for Jasper, Polk, Story and Warren counties. John F. Boyle was named Federal Coordinating Officer.

North Dakota: Assistance supplements recovery from severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from June 7-9, 2026, according to President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Dakota. Funding is listed for Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McLean, Mercer, Oliver and Williams counties. Katherine B. Fox was named Federal Coordinating Officer.

Missouri: Assistance supplements recovery from severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding from July 9-11, 2026, according to President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Missouri. Funding is listed for Bollinger, Crawford, Iron, Madison, Morgan, Reynolds, Ripley, Washington and Wayne counties. Catherine O. Fan was named Federal Coordinating Officer.

Kentucky: Assistance supplements recovery from severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides from June 26-30, 2026, according to President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky. Funding is listed for Bullitt, Butler, Clinton, Cumberland, Garrard, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Henderson, Jackson, Jessamine, Madison, Meade, Mercer, Metcalfe, Ohio, Owsley, Rockcastle, Spencer and Wayne counties. Leda M. Khoury was named Federal Coordinating Officer.

Texas: Assistance supplements recovery from severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding on July 12, 2026, and continuing, according to President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Texas. Funding is listed for Bandera, Crockett, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Mason, Maverick, Menard, Real, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala counties. Roland W. Jackson was named Federal Coordinating Officer.

Colorado: The September 4 release republished as President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Colorado states assistance supplements recovery from wildfires, flooding and mudslides from June 27 to July 29, 2026, with Public Assistance on a cost-sharing basis for Custer, Dolores, Ouray and Pueblo counties. Katherine B. Fox was named Federal Coordinating Officer.

For Kansas, the bulletin describes two separate Public Assistance disasters: severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from June 4-15, identified as Kansas DR-4940-KS, and a second period from June 18-30, identified as Kansas DR-4943-KS. For South Dakota, it lists severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from June 28 to July 3.

Emergency declaration: Nevada Hawk Fire

The bulletin lists federal disaster assistance under an emergency declaration for Nevada to supplement state and local response efforts due to emergency conditions from the Hawk Fire that began August 22.

President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Declaration for the State of Nevada, dated September 2, 2026, states that assistance supplements response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from the Hawk Fire beginning August 22, 2026, and continuing. It identifies Washoe County as the covered area.

That Nevada release authorizes FEMA to coordinate federal relief efforts to alleviate hardship and provide help to save lives and protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of catastrophe. It states that emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding. Maona N. Ngwira was named Federal Coordinating Officer for response operations.

For households near active fire zones, an emergency declaration is distinct from a major declaration: it supports response-phase needs rather than long-term individual rebuilding aid. Residents should follow county evacuation information and use only the declaration and assistance type named in official county and FEMA updates.

Recovery dollars announced September 3-4

The bulletin headline notes more than $345 million approved September 3 for post-disaster recovery and resilience. Companion regional releases show the mechanics households see indirectly through restored services.

According to FEMA Sends $162.8M to Four States for Tornado, Wildfire and Storm Repairs, published September 7, 2026, FEMA approved more than $162.8 million for Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, split into $160.4 million for Public Assistance projects and more than $2.3 million for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The article describes grants issued under the Stafford Act and administered through state, local and tribal governments on a state-led, federally supported basis.

According to Trump Administration Delivers Nearly $36 Million Through FEMA to Help Communities Recover from Recent Disasters and Strengthen Their Resilience Against Future Disasters in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, FEMA on September 4 approved nearly $36 million including $29 million under Public Assistance across three states, more than $5.7 million through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program in Michigan and Wisconsin, and more than $854,000 through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program for embankment stabilization along Miami Street in Toledo. Examples cited include $12 million to Aultman Health Foundation in Ohio for emergency protective measures and critical medical care costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, $2.7 million to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget for debris removal and communication-tower access after the 2025 northern Michigan severe winter storm, and more than $4.9 million for Michigan stormwater and sewer improvements serving more than 185,000 residents in Oakland County.

National Preparedness Month: three household steps

September is National Preparedness Month, and the bulletin highlights the FEMA blog 3 Steps You Can Take this National Preparedness Month under the 2026 theme Americans Stand Ready.

The text republished by Aroostook County EMA as Americans Stand Ready: 3 Steps You Can Take this National Preparedness Month urges residents to visit Ready.gov/Stand-Ready for updated resources. It frames three starting actions: know where to get reliable emergency information, ensure everyone in the household knows where to go and what to do, and keep what the family needs to stay safe and comfortable until help arrives.

First, be in the know. The Aroostook County EMA republication advises checking state and local emergency management websites to sign up for newsletters and alerts and downloading the FEMA App for emergency safety alerts and resources, with more on the Emergency Alerts webpage on Ready.gov.

Second, make a plan. The same guidance suggests starting by answering a few questions, talking with family about how to communicate, where to meet and what to do in different situations. It lists considerations including different ages in the household, family members with disabilities, ways to assist others, locations frequented such as work and school, dietary needs, medical needs including prescriptions and equipment, and pets and service animals. It notes Ready.gov offers resources to create a downloadable family emergency plan that can be emailed and shared.

Third, build a kit. The guidance says to gather supplies over time starting with items already at home like canned food and first aid supplies, and to pack enough food, water and medicine for at least three days. It advises checking with the local emergency management agency for area recommendations. Items listed include flashlights and extra batteries, first aid kit, local maps, battery-powered or hand crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, whistle to signal for help, personal hygiene items, dust mask to help filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape to shelter in place, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and manual can opener for food. It points to the full list at Build a Kit on Ready.gov.

The Presidential Message on National Preparedness Month, dated September 2, 2026, calls on citizens to ready families, homes, businesses and communities for natural and man-made threats. It lists practical pre-crisis steps including protecting homes and property, purchasing affordable insurance against risks faced, knowing evacuation routes, maintaining an emergency kit with essential supplies, and staying informed through trusted local news and real-time alerts. It also notes the National Resilience Strategy issued June 23, 2026, and honors first responders, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and volunteers.

Utility partners echoed the timing. Georgia Power encourages customers to take action during National Preparedness Month, dated September 8, 2026, states the company is reminding its 2.8 million customers to prepare as the peak of hurricane season approaches, in partnership with FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency throughout September. The release describes Smart Grid technology, automation and self-healing capabilities to identify outages faster, reroute power remotely and restore service more efficiently, and states that in 2025 Grid Investment Program projects improved reliability for more than 535,000 customers and, together with self-healing technology, prevented 108 million customer outage minutes.

What to do this week

Check whether your county and incident date match a declaration named above, then use the correct declaration number when applying. File insurance first, photograph damage, keep receipts, and apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA App, or at 1-800-621-3362. For Hawaii Kona earthquake losses, note the Nov. 1, 2026 application deadline. For wildfire response areas such as Washoe County, follow local evacuation and response instructions tied to the emergency declaration.

Use September to complete the three basics: confirm alert sources, write and share a family communications and meeting plan that accounts for medical, dietary and pet needs, and assemble at least three days of food, water and medicine plus lighting, radio and sanitation supplies.