Salt Lake City

Mayor's Office

Erin Mendenhall | (801) 535-7704

Earthquake Announcement

Para ver esta página en español, seleccione “Select Language” en la esquina superior derecha de esta página.


UPDATE:

Public Service Announcement – FEMA Earthquake Damage Assistance


Free legal assistance available for survivors of the Earthquake and
Aftershocks in Davis and Salt Lake counties.

Please see the press release linked here for information: https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/disaster/ut-4548-press-release.pdf


FEMA’s Remote Inspection Process for Utah Earthquake Damage

SALT LAKE CITY – Due to the nationwide Covid-19 emergency, FEMA is using remote inspections to assess damage to homes in Salt Lake and Davis counties cause by earthquakes between March 18 and April 17.

Utahns who applied for federal disaster assistance — and reported that they may not or cannot live at home due to earthquake damage — will be contacted by FEMA to schedule a remote inspection.

FEMA inspectors will call applicants by phone to ask about the type and extent of damage sustained. Assistance will be based on the applicant’s responses during the remote inspection.

Utah residents impacted by the March 18 quake or resulting aftershocks may apply for assistance or get information on the status of their FEMA applications at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. They can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages.

Upon registration with FEMA, those with minimal damage who can live in their homes will not automatically be scheduled for a home inspection. Instead, they will receive a letter from FEMA explaining that they may call the FEMA Helpline to request an inspection if they find significant disaster-caused damage to their home after they have applied.

FEMA will follow-up with those who reported minor damage and were not issued an inspection to see if their housing situation has changed. Based on their response, FEMA may issue an inspection, if requested, to assess the disaster-caused damage.

Reasonable accommodations, including translation and ASL interpreters via Video Relay Service, will be available during the remote inspection process to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, applicants with disabilities, and other individuals with access and functional needs.

Remote inspections provide a new way of evaluating damage, comparable to traditional, in-person inspections, and this expedites the delivery of recovery assistance. This interim policy helps protect the health and safety of Utah residents while also ensuring that eligible disaster survivors receive assistance from FEMA.

Make sure that FEMA has your current contact information. And be aware that phone calls or texts from FEMA may appear to come from unidentified numbers.

To verify that the inspector is speaking to the correct applicant, the inspector will ask for the last four digits of the FEMA Registration ID — a nine-digit number given after completing an application. The inspector will then provide the first four digits of the applicant’s Registration ID to complete the verification process.

Applicants are urged to pay attention to all communications from FEMA. If you have questions, please call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) and speak to a FEMA specialist.

For more information on Utah’s recovery from the Magna Quake, visit, www.fema.gov/disaster/4548, or https://earthquakes.utah.gov/magna-quake/.


Visit the state’s FEMA Disaster Assistance website for details on how to apply for federal funding if you were affected by an earthquake during the period of March 18 to April 17, 2020. https://earthquakes.utah.gov/magna-quake/fema-disaster-assistance/.


FEMA Press Release Federal Aid Programs for the State of Utah

Para leer el comunicado de prensa sobre programas de asistencia federal visite: https://www.fema.gov/es/news-release/2020/07/09/programas-de-asistencia-federal-para-la-recuperacion-por-desastre-para-el-0

Release date: July 9, 2020

Release Number: HQ-20-166

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Donald J. Trump’s disaster declaration issued for the state of Utah.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

  • Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters.  Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.
  • Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered)
  • Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.   (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state)
  • Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.  (Source: FEMA funded; state administered)
  • Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.  Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.  (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration)
  • Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact.  This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration)
  • Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.  (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
  • Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters.

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until further notice.

Assistance for the State, Tribal, and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  Emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, is available to state and local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal, and eligible local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state, tribal, and local governments will be explained at a series of applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

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Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall Issues Emergency Declaration No. 3

SALT LAKE CITY – Following a 5.7 earthquake this morning Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall signed a third emergency proclamation declaring a local emergency. The declaration allows Mayor Mendenhall to exercise emergency powers to help citizens of Salt Lake City address the emergency.

“Signing this declaration will help us to ensure that Salt Lake City is able to access both state and federal funding that we might need in the wake of today’s earthquakes,” Mayor Mendenhall said.

The declaration also authorizes the City to request all assistance available with respect to this local emergency from all federal, state and local sources, and authorizes her to activate all applicable mutual aid agreements.

Representatives from the State, Salt Lake City, and local departments of public safety briefed the public and media regarding this morning’s earthquake and the steps that have been taken to respond and assure continued services.


Damage Assessment Survey

Was your home or business damaged by the 5.7 earthquake that occurred on March 18? Please fill out the assessment survey here.

UPDATES?


Download a copy of the earthquake resources flyer here or http://www.slc.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2020/04/Resource-Infosheets5.pdf. For a copy in Spanish click here or http://www.slc.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2020/04/Resource-InfosheetsSp.pdf.


Visit the U. S. Geological Survey website for a report on the earthquake and the aftershock forecast.


Utah Department of Public Safety – Website on the March 18 earthquake and resources available around the state.

American Red Cross – The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is asking those whose home was damaged and declared unlivable by the Utah earthquake to call 1-800 Red Cross for essential needs assistance.


Salt Lake School District: Find information about the district’s food program and student device check out at https://www.slcschools.org/news/2019-20/coronavirus-information/


SLC International Airport: The airport is up and running. Check the website or airport app for more information such as security wait times or flight delays. Everyone is doing their best to get back on schedule after yesterday’s earthquake.


Dominion Energy is responding to and controlling leaks. (FOR GAS EMERGENCIES, PLEASE CALL: 800-767-1689.)


City Golf Course Update

Effective Monday, March 23, the Salt Lake City Golf Division will temporarily suspend play at all six City golf courses: Bonneville, Forest Dale, Glendale, Mountain Dell, Nibley Park and Rose Park. Salt Lake City’s Golf Division has also implemented the following illness prevention measures:

  • Rentals of motorized and pull carts are suspended throughout weekend play and until further notice.
  • Cash payments have also been suspended, along with retail sales within the pro shop throughout weekend play and until further notice.
  • Food service continues to be suspended until further notice.
  • Other changes include suspending the use of ball washers and sand rakes. Flagsticks will remain in the cup, but the cup will be raised by two inches, preventing the ball from going into the cup. Balls coming into contact with the raised cup are to be considered holed.


Economic Development: The new Business Impact Survey is to document any potential earthquake damage and potential revenue loss. We’re asking all SLC businesses to take this new survey.

FAQs

What are the earthquake guidelines to follow?

Please remain calm and follow earthquake guidelines.

  • Check on your family and neighbors.
  • Safe places in homes and apartments bearing walls and doorways- stay away from windows and hazards that are not secured to the structure.
  • Look for overhead hazards both indoors and outdoors. (Tree branches, powerlines, chandeliers)
  • Fire Department, Police Department, and Building and Housing is assessing for damage throughout the city.
  • Water infrastructure seems to be all good.
  • Police are assessing streets and traffic.
  • Rocky mountain power knows about the power outages and is working to reestablish those.
  • Dominion Energy is responding to and controlling leaks.

What if I need emergency help from police, fire, or EMS?


The city is equipped and trained to handle events like these. Utah Division of Emergency Management expects dozens of aftershocks following the 5.7 primary event in Magna this morning.

911 dispatch

SLC911 Dispatch is operating as normal, but please remember you can report non-emergencies online at SLCPD.com or by calling 801-799-3000. If you are experiencing #coronavirus symptoms, please tell your call taker so they can let the responding officers know to take preventative steps.

Salt Lake City International Airport

The airport is up and running. Check the website or airport app for more information such as security wait times or flight delays. Everyone is doing their best to get back on schedule after yesterday’s earthquake.

Resources for the Community


211 – This phone line connects people to services from organizations in the community. It is free and confidential. Visit the website https://211utah.org for more information on the resources available.

You can find more resources on how to prepare for an earthquake at City’s Emergency Management website and the state’s Be Ready Utah website.

Is the water safe?

Will garbage and recycle pickup continue?

All waste and recycle collections, including Call 2 Haul were accomplished today. Plans are for the services to continue uninterrupted.