FEMA Reports Federal Support for Flooded States

Today And Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to coordinate the operational and support activities of numerous federal agencies in response to continued flooding in the Midwest.

FEMA and its federal partners are working closely with state and local governments as well as with the private sector to support those areas still fighting the floods and to assist those beginning the rebuilding process.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

* Where waters have receded, FEMA disaster assistance workers are providing resources to individuals seeking assistance in the Midwest.
o In Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri 64,604 disaster victims have registered for assistance and FEMA has approved the distribution of $181.6 million for housing assistance and other disaster-related needs.
o The National Flood Insurance Program has received 5,834 filings and paid nearly $4.5 million in claims.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

* SBA has received 3,838 applications for disaster assistance loans.
* SBA has approved 484 disaster loan applications totaling more than $28.1 million.
o Of those, 468 were loans made to homeowners and renters for more than $27 million and16 business disaster loans have been approved for a total of more than $1 million.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

* USDA has provided nearly $4 million in Disaster Food Stamp Program benefits and supplements to nearly 8,000 new and nearly 4,000 ongoing households in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

* USACE is monitoring the 41 overtopped or breached levees and is continuing flood fighting operations with more than 14 million sandbags, 121 pumps and essential personnel.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

* In Iowa, EPA continues centralized collection of household hazardous waste at four sites in Bremer County. Five additional sites will be established in Johnson County.
o EPA is recovering hundreds of orphan containers along Iowa's Cedar, Des Moines and Skunk Rivers. The portion of Cedar River north of the dam at Cedar Rapids has been cleared of all identified orphan containers.
o EPA's collection of orphan containers, household hazardous waste, large appliances and electronics goods has resulted in over 45,000 items collected to date in Iowa.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

* Amtrak has restored service on the Southwest Chief between Kansas City and Chicago, with the exception of the Fort Madison, Iowa station.
* Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad has reopened its Des Moines subdivision and one main track in its Marcelline subdivision.
o BNSF reported five major holes in its track structure in the Burlington, Iowa area - one measuring a half mile long and 17 feet deep. It estimates it will take 6,000 rail cars of crushed rock, each weighing approximately 100 tones, to fill the holes. They have a quarry running three loaders working around the clock and predict completion of repairs in Burlington on or about July 13.
* Canadian National railroad has reopened its Cedar Rapids subdivision.

The U.S. National Guard

* More than 1,400 National Guard members continue to support activities across the Midwest.

Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)

* Ten states have responded to requests for assistance from the affected states.
o Providing support: Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, and North Carolina.
o Though executing its own response, Illinois supported efforts in Missouri with resources no longer needed in Illinois.

The American Red Cross

* During the last 24 hours in the Midwest, the Red Cross reports:
o 15 shelters open.
o 234 overnight stays.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Source: FEMA

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