President approves Major Disaster Declaration for Hawaiʻi Island following magnitude 6.0 earthquake in May
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster assistance is available to Hawaiʻi Island to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the 6.0 earthquake reported on May 22 in the Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo area.
The disaster declaration, designated FEMA-4936-DR, makes federal Individual Assistance available to eligible Hawaiʻi County residents who sustained earthquake-related damage or losses.
Damage assessments were conducted in June to determine the extent of impacts to homes, infrastructure and essential community systems.
“Many families are still dealing with significant damage to their homes, water-catchment systems and property,” Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green said in a news release. “This declaration will provide resources to help our residents recover and rebuild.”
Depending on individual circumstances, FEMA assistance may include:
- 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.
- Assistance with essential disaster-related expenses, including personal property, transportation and certain medical, dental or child care costs.
Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Lopez said the agency encourages residents to document their losses, contact their insurance providers and apply before the Nov. 1 deadline, “even if they are unsure whether they qualify.”
Residents with homeowners or renters insurance should file a claim with their insurance providers as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate assistance for losses covered by insurance, but residents may qualify for assistance with eligible expenses not fully covered by their policies.
Applications for FEMA assistance are free and may be submitted:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Through the FEMA mobile app.
- By calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Operators are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST. Translation and interpretation services are available.
Applicants should be prepared to provide photographs or videos of earthquake damage and retain receipts and other documents related to repairs and disaster expenses.
Homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations may also qualify for long-term, low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Applications may be submitted through the MySBA Loan Portal. For assistance, call 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.
The state and Hawaiʻi County will open Local Recovery Centers where residents can receive in-person assistance from FEMA and SBA representatives. Dates, hours and locations will be posted at ready.hawaii.gov.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory interpreted the May 22 temblor being related to Pacific Plate flexure and not magma movement within Mauna Loa. The quake set a record for having the most “Felt Reports” in Hawaiʻi, with more than 7,000 people from throughout all Hawaiian Islands submitting “Did You Feel It?” reports to US Geological Survey, including a report from Niʻihau.
This federal disaster declaration applies specifically to the May 22 earthquake and is separate from federal and state response and recovery efforts related to Tropical Cyclone Lala.
Hirokazu Toiya has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
