Safeguard Properties

Freddie Mac: Single-Family Foreclosure Sales and Eviction Moratorium Extension

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Investor Update
August 27, 2020

Source: Freddie Mac

Additional Resource:
FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2020-34: COVID-19 Foreclosure Moratorium Extension and Disaster Forbearance Updates

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today extended its nationwide suspension of single-family foreclosures and evictions on mortgages and real estate owned or guaranteed by the company through Dec. 31, 2020. The suspension of evictions applies only to homes owned by Freddie Mac and does not apply to tenants in homes that have not been foreclosed. Made in conjunction with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the announcement extends the timeline of the current foreclosure moratorium, which was set to expire on Aug. 31.

“The extension of our eviction and foreclosure moratorium is just one part of the comprehensive assistance we’re providing borrowers and communities impacted by COVID-19,” said Donna Corley, executive vice president and head of Freddie Mac’s Single-Family business. “We are committed to helping families affected by the pandemic, and we have instructed servicers to work with borrowers who are unable to make their mortgage payments to ensure they are evaluated for a forbearance plan or other appropriate assistance.”

In addition to suspending foreclosure activity and evictions, Freddie Mac has directed servicers to offer COVID-19-related mortgage relief for borrowers, including:

• Providing forbearance for up to 12 months;

• Waiving assessments of penalties or late fees;

• Offering loan modification options to provide mortgage payment relief or keep those payments the same after the forbearance period; and

• Offering a payment deferral solution in which deferred payments will be due at the end of the loan

Borrowers are eligible for forbearance regardless of whether their property is owner occupied, a second home or an investment property.

Borrowers who may be experiencing financial challenges due to COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to contact their mortgage servicer – the company they send their monthly mortgage payment to – so they can explore one of the Freddie Mac workout options.

Freddie Mac has helped more than 1.3 million financially troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure since 2009. For more information on Freddie Mac mortgage relief, visit My Home by Freddie Macsm. For information on sustaining homeownership in a crisis, see Freddie Mac’s #helpstartshere interactive guide.

Fannie Mae: Suspension of Foreclosures and Evictions on Single-Family Mortgages Through Year-End

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Investor Update
August 27, 2020

Source: Fannie Mae

WASHINGTON, DC – To support households impacted by COVID-19, Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) today announced an extension of the temporary moratorium on foreclosures and evictions until December 31, 2020. The moratorium, which was previously set to expire on August 31, 2020, is effective immediately and applies to properties with single-family mortgages backed by Fannie Mae. The suspension of evictions applies only to homes owned by Fannie Mae and does not apply to tenants in homes that have not been foreclosed.

“Fannie Mae, along with our lending and servicing partners, remains committed to supporting households who are experiencing job loss, a reduction in work hours or income, or other issues due to COVID-19,” said Malloy Evans, Senior Vice President and Single-Family Chief Credit Officer, Fannie Mae. “With this latest extension of the foreclosure and eviction moratorium, we can continue to help ensure distressed borrowers are able to remain in their homes during this national emergency.”

“For homeowners who may be struggling with their mortgage or facing possible foreclosure, assistance options are available and can provide much-needed relief. We encourage you to reach out to your servicer as soon as possible to get help,” said Evans.

Under Fannie Mae’s guidelines for single-family mortgages:

• Homeowners who are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 national emergency may request mortgage assistance by contacting their mortgage servicer

• Foreclosure-related activities (except as to vacant or abandoned properties) and evictions of occupants from real estate owned by Fannie Mae are suspended until December 31, 2020

• Homeowners impacted by COVID-19 are eligible for a forbearance plan to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months

• Servicers must report the status of the mortgage loan to the credit bureaus in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including as amended by the CARES Act, for homeowners impacted by COVID-19

  • Homeowners in a forbearance plan will not incur late fees
  • After forbearance, a servicer must work with the borrower on a permanent plan to help maintain or reduce monthly payment amounts as necessary, including a loan modification

Homeowners can find out if they have a Fannie Mae-owned mortgage by visiting www.KnowYourOptions.com/loanlookup. Fannie Mae also offers help to homeowners navigating the broader financial effects of this crisis through the company’s Disaster Response Network*, including:

  • A needs assessment and personalized recovery plan
  • Help requesting financial relief from insurance, servicers, and other sources
  • Web resources and ongoing guidance from experienced disaster relief advisors

*Operated by Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions, a division of MMI, through its Project Porchlight program

Here to Help
Since March, Fannie Mae has taken a number of actions to help homeowners and renters facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. In addition to suspending foreclosures and evictions affecting homeowners, Fannie Mae extended eviction protections to multifamily renters when the property owner received a forbearance, reminded homeowners they are never required to repay missed payments after a forbearance period all at once, shared tips to help homeowners avoid foreclosure fraud or scams, and announced a new COVID-19 payment deferral option to help homeowners who are ready to resume their monthly mortgage payments following a COVID-19 forbearance. These and other resources we make available are part of our ongoing Here to Help education effort, aimed at helping homeowners and renters impacted by COVID-19 understand the options available to them.

Freddie Mac Confirms Disaster Relief Policies As Hurricane Laura Approaches

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Investor Update
August 26, 2020

Source: Freddie Mac

Safeguard Properties Disaster Alert Center:
Hurricane Laura Reporting
California Wildfire Reporting

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today reminded mortgage servicers of its disaster relief policies for homeowners as Hurricane Laura makes landfall and amid the wildfires threatening parts of California. Freddie Mac’s disaster relief options are available to homeowners whose homes or places of employment are located in presidentially-declared Major Disaster Areas where federal individual-assistance programs are made available to affected individuals and households.

“The immediate priority is for residents to get safely out of harm’s way,” said Bill Maguire, Freddie Mac’s Vice President of Single-Family Servicing Management. “Once out of harm’s way, we strongly encourage homeowners whose homes or places of employment are impacted to call their mortgage servicer—the company they send their monthly mortgage payments to— so they can learn about available relief options. Working with our servicers, we stand ready to ensure mortgage relief is made available to homeowners affected by these natural disasters.”

Mortgage servicers may immediately leverage Freddie Mac’s short-term forbearance programs to provide mortgage relief to homeowners that have been affected by the natural disasters. Affected homeowners currently on a COVID-19 related forbearance or other relief plan should contact their servicer to discuss options.

News Facts:

• Freddie Mac Single-Family disaster relief policies authorize mortgage servicers to help affected borrowers in eligible disaster areas: those federally-declared Major Disaster Areas where federal individual assistance programs have been extended. A list of these areas can be found on the FEMA’s website.

• Freddie Mac mortgage relief options for affected homeowners in eligible disaster areas include:
—  Suspending foreclosures by providing forbearance for up to 12 months;
—  Waiving assessments of penalties or late fees against homeowners impacted by an eligible disaster.

• Freddie Mac is reminding Single-Family servicers to consider homeowners who are impacted by the hurricane or wildfires, but who live or work outside of an eligible disaster area, for Freddie Mac’s standard relief policies, which include forbearance and mortgage modifications.

• Affected homeowners should immediately contact their mortgage servicer—the company to which they send their monthly mortgage payment.

• See http://www.freddiemac.com/singlefamily/service/natural_disasters.html for a description of Freddie Mac’s Single-Family disaster relief policies.

Fannie Mae: Reminder of Assistance Options for Borrowers Affected by Hurricane Laura and California Wildfires

Posted on by Safeguard

Investor Update
August 26, 2020

Source: Fannie Mae

Additional Resource:

Safeguard Properties Disaster Alert Center:
Hurricane Laura Reporting
California Wildfire Reporting

WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) is reminding those impacted by Hurricane Laura and the California Wildfires of available mortgage assistance and disaster relief options. Under Fannie Mae’s guidelines for single-family mortgages impacted by a natural disaster:

• Homeowners may request mortgage assistance by contacting their mortgage servicer following a disaster

• Mortgage servicers are authorized to suspend or reduce a homeowner’s mortgage payments for up to 90 days – even without establishing contact – if the servicer believes the homeowner was affected

• Homeowners affected by disaster are often eligible to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months

•During this temporary payment break:

    • Homeowners will not incur late fees
    • Foreclosure and other legal proceedings are suspended

• There are a number of options available to potentially help homeowners catch up on missed payments

In addition, homeowners currently on a COVID-19-related forbearance plan who are subsequently impacted by the storm or fires should contact their mortgage servicer to discuss options.

Fannie Mae also offers help navigating the broader financial effects of a disaster to homeowners with a Fannie Mae-owned mortgage and renters living in Fannie Mae-financed properties through its Disaster Response Network*, including:

• A needs assessment and personalized recovery plan

• Help requesting financial relief from FEMA, insurance, and other sources

• Web resources and ongoing guidance from experienced disaster relief advisors

Homeowners and renters can call 877-833-1746 to access Fannie Mae’s Disaster Response Network™* or other available resources.

“We are monitoring these situations, and we urge those in the path of the storm and fires to focus on their safety first as they prepare for the potential impact of these events,” said Malloy Evans, Senior Vice President and Single-Family Chief Credit Officer, Fannie Mae. “Along with our lending and servicing partners, Fannie Mae is committed to ensuring assistance is available to homeowners and renters in need. We encourage residents whose homes, employment, or income are impacted by this storm and fires to seek available assistance as soon as possible.”

*Operated by Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions, a division of MMI, through its Project Porchlight program

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2020-33: Servicing and Selling Updates

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Updated 11/2/20: Freddie Mac updated the effective date for the deployment of the new Unified Counterparty Experience System® from November 8, 2020 to December 7, 2020.

FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2020-42

Investor Update
August 19, 2020

Source: Freddie Mac

Review today’s Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide (Guide) Bulletin 2020-33 to learn more about selling and servicing updates related to the following:• The new Unified Counterparty Experience System® (UCountSM), system, which replaces the current process for Seller/Servicer annual certification and change and activity reporting. The forms now used for that reporting,16SF and 1107SF, will be retired on November 8, 2020, with the launch on UCount.

• eMortgages

    • Third-party eNote custody and delivery
    • Endorsements
    • Modification of eMortgages
    • eMortgage payoffs

The Bulletin also includes other updates that may be important to your business.

FHFA: Foreclosure Prevention Report – May 2020

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Investor Update
August 18, 2020

Source: FHFA

May 2020 Highlights — Foreclosure Prevention

The Enterprises’ Foreclosure Prevention Actions:

• The Enterprises completed 83,756 foreclosure prevention actions in May, bringing the total to 4,534,370 since the start of the conservatorships in September 2008. Over half of these actions have been permanent loan modifications.

• There were 4,577 permanent loan modifications in May, bringing the total to 2,415,960 since the conservatorships began in September 2008.

• Nineteen percent of modifications in May were modifications with principal forbearance. Modifications with extend-term only accounted for 66 percent of all loan modifications during the month.

• Initiated forbearance plans dropped significantly from 989,594 in April to 392,338 in May. The total number of loans in forbearance plans at the end of May was 1,450,557, representing approximately 5.1% of the total loans serviced.

• There were 286 short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure completed in May, down 12 percent compared with April 2020.

The Enterprises’ Mortgage Performance:

• The 30-59 days delinquency rate dropped to 2.53 percent, while the serious delinquency rate increased from 0.68 percent at the end of April to 0.86 percent at the end of May.

The Enterprises’ Foreclosures:

• Third-party and foreclosure sales dropped 24 percent from 344 in April to 260 in May due to the suspension of foreclosures.

• Foreclosure starts also dropped from 3,229 in April to 2,316 in May due to the suspension of foreclosures.

May 2020 Highlights — Refinance Activities

• Total refinance volume increased in May to levels last observed in 2013 as mortgage rates fell in previous months. Mortgage rates decreased further in May: the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 3.23 percent from 3.31 percent in April.

• In May, 14 refinances were completed through the High LTV Refinance Option, bringing total refinances through the High LTV Refinance Option from the inception of the program to 46.

• The percentage of cash-out refinances decreased to 28 percent in May from 30 percent in April. Mortgage rates have continued to fall from the highs observed in 2018, creating more opportunities for non cash-out borrowers to refinance at lower rates and lower their monthly payments.

Attachments: Foreclosure Prevention, Refi, and FPM – May 2020

HUD: California Wildfire Disaster Assistance Announced

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Investor Update
August 25, 2020 

Source: HUD

Foreclosure protection offered to displaced families

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it will speed federal disaster assistance to the State of California and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes in areas affected by the wildfires.

On August 22nd, President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties.

The President’s declaration allows HUD to offer foreclosure relief and other assistance to certain families living in these counties. HUD is:

• Providing immediate foreclosure relief – HUD’s automatic 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages commenced for the California counties covered under the Presidential declaration on the date of the declaration. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA’s Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320;

• Making mortgage insurance available – HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes were destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is necessary and are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs;

• Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation – HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home; and

• Making information on housing providers and HUD programs available – The Department will share information with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State on housing providers that may have available units in the impacted counties. This includes Public Housing Agencies and Multi-Family owners. The Department will also connect FEMA and the State to subject matter experts to provide information on HUD programs and providers.

Read about these and other HUD programs designed to assist disaster victims.

FEMA Declared Disaster California

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FEMA Alert Update
November 12, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires that took place August 14 to September 26, 2020.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance

  • Mendocino
  • Stanislaus

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 10)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

 

FEMA Alert Update
October 18, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires that took place August 14 to September 26, 2020.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance

  • Trinity

Public Assistance

  • Sierra
  • Tuolumne

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 8)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

 

FEMA Alert Update
October 15, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires that took place August 14 to September 26, 2020.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance

  • Lassen
  • Tulare

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 7)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

 

FEMA Alert Update
September 30, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires beginning on August 14, 2020 and continuing.

The action closes the incident period on September 26, 2020

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 6)

 

FEMA Alert Update
September 28, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires beginning on August 14, 2020 and continuing.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Santa Clara

Public Assistance

  • Nevada
  • Santa Clara

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 5)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

 

FEMA Alert Update
September 13, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires beginning on August 14, 2020 and continuing.

The following county is eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Butte

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 4)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

 

FEMA Alert Update
September 10, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires beginning on August 14, 2020 and continuing.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Butte
  • Plumas
  • Yuba

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 3)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

 

FEMA Alert Update
August 24, 2020

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires beginning on August 14, 2020 and continuing.

The following county is eligible for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance

  • Monterey

California Wildfires (DR-4558 Amendment 1)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List

 

FEMA Alert
August 22, 2020

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by wildfires beginning on August 14, 2020 and continuing.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance

  • Lake
  • Napa
  • San Mateo
  • Santa Cruz
  • Solano
  • Sonoma
  • Yolo

California Wildfires (DR-4558)

FEMA Declared Disaster California: ZIP Code List


Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Tropical Storm Marco Makes Landfall, Weakens

Posted on by Safeguard

Updated 9/1/20: FEMA issued an update to an Emergency Declaration for areas in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing. The action closes the incident period on August 29, 2020.

Mississippi Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura (Amendment 1)

Updated 8/25/20: The Weather Channel issued a report detailing Tropical Storm Marco, which has weakened into a post-tropical storm system and is expected to completely dissipate over the next 24 hours.

Marco Weakens and May Still Bring Heavy Rain to Parts of Gulf Coast Into Tuesday

Updated 8/24/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Texas affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing.

Texas Tropical Storms Marco and Laura
FEMA Emergency Declaration Texas: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/24/20: The Weather Channel published a report detailing the Tropical Storm Marco, which could bring storm surge and heavy rain to several U.S. Gulf Coast States.

Tropical Storm Marco Nears the Gulf Coast With Heavy Rain, Gusty Winds and Storm Surge Flooding

Additional Resource:

The Weather Channel (Marco and Laura: Track the Storms)

Safeguard Disaster Alert Center (Tropical Storm Laura Reporting)

Updated 8/23/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing.

Mississippi Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura
FEMA Emergency Declaration Mississippi: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/23/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura beginning on August 22, 2020 and continuing.

Louisiana Tropical Storms Marco and Laura
FEMA Emergency Declaration Louisiana: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/23/20: Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide emergency declaration in anticipation of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.

Governor Greg Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration in the Wake of Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura
Associated County ZIP Code List (23 Counties)

Updated 8/22/20: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a statewide emergency declaration in anticipation of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.

GOVERNOR REEVES ISSUES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR TROPICAL STORM SYSTEMS
Associated County ZIP Code List (Statewide)

Updated 8/21/20: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statewide emergency declaration in anticipation of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.

Gov. Edwards Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Dual Tropical Systems Threatening Louisiana
Associated Parish ZIP Code List (Statewide)

 

Disaster Alert
August 20, 2020

Source: The Weather Channel

Additional Resource:

The Weather Channel (Tropical Depressions Thirteen and Fourteen: Track the Storms)

Tropical Storm Laura Reporting (Formerly Tropical Depression 13)

NOTE: This has not yet been declared a FEMA Disaster.

At a Glance

  • Tropical Depression Fourteen is moving through the western Caribbean.
  • It will bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Central America and Mexico Friday into the weekend.
  • This system is expected to emerge in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.
  • It is increasingly likely this system could affect parts of the northern or western U.S. Gulf Coast.
Tropical Depression Fourteen is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm later today and will impact parts of Central America and Mexico before reaching the western Gulf of Mexico, where it faces an uncertain future, but could affect parts of the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts next week.

The center of this system is just off the northeastern coast of Honduras. It’s located well to the west of Tropical Storm Laura, which is a separate system tracking through the Atlantic.

Tropical Depression Fourteen is generating widespread showers and thunderstorms along with gusty winds in the western Caribbean Sea, occasionally wrapping into the Cayman Islands, Honduras and Nicaragua.

A turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed is anticipated by Friday afternoon. It will track near the coasts of northern Nicaragua and northeastern Honduras Friday.

Strengthening is likely and it is expected to become a tropical storm later today. The next two Atlantic tropical storm names are Laura and Marco.

A hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning for portions of the eastern Yucatan Peninsula from Punta Herrero northward to Cancun, Mexico.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of northern Honduras and northeast Nicaragua. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread into these areas Friday morning.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Remnants of Hurricane Laura Spawn Arkansas Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

Updated 12/9/20: FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Texas affected by Hurricane Laura from August 23-27, 2020.

Texas Hurricane Laura (DR-4572)

Updated 9/12/20: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura from August 22-27, 2020.

Louisiana Hurricane Laura (DR-4559 Amendment 8)

Updated 9/9/20: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura from August 22-27, 2020.

Louisiana Hurricane Laura (DR-4559 Amendment 6)

Updated 9/4/20: The VA issued a release that expresses concern about VA home loan borrowers affected by Hurricane Laura, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief.

Circular 26-20-34: Special Relief Following Hurricane Laura

Updated 9/1/20: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura from August 22-27, 2020.

Louisiana Hurricane Laura (DR-4559 Amendment 3)

Updated 9/1/20: FEMA issued an update to an Emergency Declaration for areas in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing. The action closes the incident period on August 29, 2020.

Mississippi Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura (Amendment 1)

Updated 8/31/20: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura from August 22-27, 2020.

Louisiana Hurricane Laura (DR-4559 Amendment 2)

Updated 8/30/20: FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura from August 22-27, 2020.

Louisiana Hurricane Laura (DR-4559 Amendment 1)

Updated 8/28/20: FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura from August 22-27, 2020.

Louisiana Hurricane Laura (DR-4559)

Updated 8/28/20: FOX News published a report detailing tornadic activity spawned by the remnants of Hurricane Laura that impacted portions of Arkansas.

Arkansas church damaged in tornado spun off from Hurricane Laura

Additional Resource:

The Weather Channel (Tropical Depression Laura Moving Through the Mid-South With Gusty Winds, Flooding After Category 4 Landfall)

Approximate locations sustaining possible structural damage:

Arkansas
– Egypt (Craighead County, 72427)
– Forrest City (Craighead County, 72335, 72336)
*Tornado (reported)
– Goobertown (Craighead County, 72417)
*Wind damage
– Jonesboro (Craighead County, 72401, 72402, 72403, 72404, 72405)
*Tornado (reported)
-Lake City (Craighead County, 72437)
*Tornado (reported)
– Little Rock (Pulaski County, 72201, 72202, 72203, 72204, 72205, 72206, 72207, 72209, 72210, 72211, 72212, 72214, 72215, 72216, 72217, 72219, 72221, 72222, 72223, 72225, 72227, 72231, 72255, 72260, 72295)
*Wind damage
– Paragould (Greene County, 72450, 72451)
– Possum Grape (Jackson County, 72020)
*Wind damage
– Redfield (Jefferson County, 72132)
*Wind damage
– Sedgwick (Lawrence County, 72465)
*Wind damage
– Walcott (Greene County, 72474)
*Tornado (reported)

Updated 8/27/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Arkansas affected by Hurricane Laura beginning on August 26, 2020 and continuing.

Arkansas Hurricane Laura (EM-3541)
FEMA Emergency Declaration Arkansas: ZIP Code List 

Updated 8/27/20: The Weather Channel issued a report offering the latest updates on Hurricane Laura, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm while continuing to move inland.

Tropical Storm Laura Moves Inland Across Louisiana With Damaging Winds, Flooding and Tornadoes After Category 4 Landfall

Approximate locations possibly sustaining structural damage:

Louisiana
– Cameron (Cameron Parish, 70631)
*Flooding
– Carlyss (Calcasieu Parish, 70665)
*Wind damage
– DeRidder (Beauregard Parish, 70634)
*Wind damage
– DeQuincy (Calcasieu Parish, 70633)
*Wind damage
– Gillis (Calcasieu Parish, 70611)
*Wind damage
– Hackberry (Cameron Parish, 70645)
*Wind damage
– Hayes (Calcasieu Parish, 70646)
*Wind damage
– Holly Beach/Grand Chenier (Cameron Parish, 70643)
*Flodding, wind damage
– Iowa (Calcasieu Parish, 70647)
*Wind damage
– Lafayette (Lafayette Parish, 70501, 70502, 70503, 70504, 70505, 70506, 70507, 70508, 70509, 70593, 70596, 70598)
*Flooding, wind damage
– Lake Charles (Calcasieu Parish, 70601, 70602, 70605, 70606, 70607, 70609, 70611, 70612, 70615, 70616, 70629)
*Flooding, Wind damage
– Leesville (Vernon Parish, 71446, 71459, 71469)
*Wind damage
– Moss Bluff (Calcasieu Parish, 70611)
*Wind damage
– Prien (Calcasieu Parish, 70605)
*Wind damage
– Robeline (Natchitoches Parish71469)
*Wind damage
– Shreveport (Caddo Parish, 71101, 71102, 71103, 71104, 71105, 71106, 71107, 71108, 71109, 71115, 71118, 71119, 71120, 71129, 71130, 71133, 71134, 71135, 71136, 71137, 71138, 71148, 71149, 71150, 71151, 71152, 71153, 71154, 71156, 71161, 71162, 71163, 71164, 71165, 71166)
– Starks (Calcasieu Parish, 70661)
*Wind damage
– Sulphur (Calcasieu Parish, 70663, 70664, 70665)
*Wind damage
– Vinton (Calcasieu Parish, 70668)
*Wind damage
– Westlake (Calcasieu Parish, 70669)
*Wind damage

Mississippi
– Natchez (Adams County, 39120, 39121, 39122)
*Wind damage

Texas
– Crystal Beach/Port Bolivar (Galveston County, 77650)
*Flooding
– Galveston (77550, 77551, 77552, 77553, 77554, 77555)
*Flooding, wind damage
– Orange (Orange County, 77630, 77631, 77632)
– Port Arthur (Jefferson County, 77640, 77641, 77642, 77643)
– Sabine Pass (Jefferson County, 77655)
*Flooding

Updated 8/27/20: The Weather Channel issued a report offering the latest updates on Hurricane Laura, which made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm.

Hurricane Laura Moving Inland Across Louisiana With Damaging Winds, Flooding Rain and Tornadoes

Approximate locations sustaining structural damage:

Louisiana
Lake Charles (Calcasieu Parish, 70601, 70602, 70605, 70606, 70607, 70609, 70611, 70612, 70615, 70616, 70629)

Updated 8/26/20: The Weather Channel issued a report offering the latest forecast information for Hurricane Laura, which is expected to make landfall along the Texas and Louisiana coast within the next several hours.

Hurricane Laura Strengthens Into a Category 4; Catastrophic Strike Ahead Near Louisiana and Texas Border

Updated 8/26/20: Freddie Mac issued a release reminding mortgage servicers of its disaster relief policies for homeowners as Hurricane Laura makes landfall and amid wildfires threatening parts of California.

Freddie Mac Confirms Disaster Relief Policies As Hurricane Laura Approaches; Amid California Wildfires

Updated 8/26/20: Fannie Mae issued a release reminding those impacted by Hurricane Laura and the California Wildfires of available mortgage assistance and disaster relief options.

Fannie Mae Reminds Residents and Mortgage Servicers of Assistance Options for Borrowers Affected by Hurricane Laura and the California Wildfires

Updated 8/26/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Texas affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing.

Texas Tropical Storms Marco and Laura (Amendment 3)
FEMA Emergency Declaration Texas: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/26/20: The Weather Channel issued a report offering the latest forecast information for Hurricane Laura, which is expected to make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Laura Rapidly Intensifies Into a Category 3; Destructive Landfall Ahead Near Louisiana and Texas Border

Additional Resources:

Louisiana Coastal County ZIP Code List

Texas Coastal County ZIP Code List

Updated 8/25/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Texas affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing.

Texas Tropical Storms Marco and Laura (Amendment 2)
FEMA Emergency Declaration Texas: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/25/20: The Weather Channel issued a report offering the latest forecast information for Hurricane Laura, which is expected to impact the U.S. Gulf Coast over the next several days as a major storm.

Hurricane Laura Intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico, Forecast to Strike Upper Texas, Louisiana Coasts as Category 3

Updated 8/24/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Texas affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing.

Texas Tropical Storms Marco and Laura
FEMA Emergency Declaration Texas: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/24/20: The Weather Channel issued a report providing the latest forecast information for Tropical Storm Laura, which could strike the U.S. Gulf Coast as a major hurricane within the next several days.

Tropical Storm Laura Poses an Increasing Major Hurricane Danger For the Texas and Louisiana Coast

Additional Resource:

The Weather Channel (Marco and Laura: Track the Storms)

Safeguard Disaster Alert Center (Tropical Storm Marco Reporting)

Updated 8/23/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura beginning on August 23, 2020 and continuing.

Mississippi Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura
FEMA Emergency Declaration Mississippi: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/23/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura beginning on August 22, 2020 and continuing.

Louisiana Tropical Storms Marco and Laura
FEMA Emergency Declaration Louisiana: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/23/20: Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide emergency declaration in anticipation of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.

Governor Greg Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration in the Wake of Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura
Associated County ZIP Code List (23 Counties)

Updated 8/22/20: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Puerto Rico affected by Tropical Storm Laura beginning on August 21, 2020 and continuing.

Puerto Rico Tropical Storm Laura
FEMA Emergency Declaration Puerto Rico: ZIP Code List

Updated 8/22/20: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a statewide emergency declaration in anticipation of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.

GOVERNOR REEVES ISSUES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR TROPICAL STORM SYSTEMS
Associated County ZIP Code List (Statewide)

Updated 8/21/20: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statewide emergency declaration in anticipation of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.

Gov. Edwards Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Dual Tropical Systems Threatening Louisiana
Associated Parish ZIP Code List (Statewide)

Updated 8/21/20: The Weather Channel issued a report providing the latest forecast information for Tropical Storm Laura (formerly Tropical Depression 13) , which is expected to impact Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Bahamas.

Tropical Storm Laura Forms and May Threaten Florida, Gulf Coast Next Week; Watches Issued for Puerto Rico

Additional Resource:

The Weather Channel (Tropical Depressions Thirteen and Fourteen: Track the Storms)

Tropical Depression 14 Reporting

 

Disaster Alert
August 20, 2020

Source: The Weather Channel

NOTE: This has not yet been declared a FEMA Disaster.

At a Glance

  • Tropical Depression Thirteen is centered several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands.
  • It could track near the Leeward Islands as a tropical storm with rain and gusty winds later Friday into Saturday.
  • This system might approach the Bahamas, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico early next week.
  • The intensity and track forecast for this system is highly uncertain when it approaches the U.S.
  • It’s too early to determine what, if any, impacts the U.S. mainland may see.

Tropical Depression Thirteen is tracking through the Atlantic and could affect the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico with rain and gusty winds by this weekend. This system might approach Florida and the Gulf of Mexico by early next week. However, its forecast intensity and track at that time are highly uncertain.

Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico Forecast

Tropical Depression Thirteen is likely to move rather quickly to the west-northwest over the next few days on the southern periphery of a high-pressure system to its north.

Rainfall and gusty winds from this system could reach parts of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico by later Friday into Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in these areas, but that will depend on how much this system intensifies.

Tropical storm watches have been issued for parts of the northern Leeward Islands.

For full report, please click the source link above.