Flooding

August 24, 2008 -- George W. Bush today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Tropical Storm Fay beginning on August 18, 2008, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Fay in the counties of Brevard, Monroe, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.    » read more »

23 August 2008 -- Authorities in the the southeastern U.S. state of Florida say Tropical Storm Fay has killed at least 10 people since it began pounding the state with torrential rain last Monday.

Fay became the first storm of its kind in recorded history to make landfall four times in Florida - coming ashore again Saturday along the state's Gulf of Mexico coast.

Flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay: Photo by J.S. Clark (CC)

Its winds never have been strong enough to declare it a hurricane, but Fay has dumped more than 63 centimeters of rain on parts of Florida, flooding hundreds of homes and forcing numerous evacuations.    » read more »

August 21, 2008 -- The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Fay beginning on August 18, 2008, and continuing.    » read more »

22 August 2008 -- Tropical Storm Fay has come ashore on the Florida coast for a third time since Monday, bringing more of the torrential rain that has flooded hundreds of homes and prompted numerous evacuations. Fay began moving west across mainland Florida Thursday, after stalling along the northeast Atlantic coast for hours, lashing the area with rain.

Major flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay: Photo by Jeremy G. (CC)    » read more »

AUGUSTA, Maine, July 22, 2008 -- According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), more than $5,139,716 in assistance has been approved following the severe storms and flooding that struck the northern and mid-coast regions of Maine this spring. Of that total, more than $1.9 million in grants and loans have been provided to Maine households.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- More than $2.6 million in disaster aid is approved for Nebraska individuals and business owners who sustained damage during the storms, tornadoes and flooding that hammered the state from May 22 to June 24, 2008. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said to date, more than 2,000 people registered for disaster aid.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has allocated well over to $1.4 million of the approved amount in the form of low-interest home and business loans.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- Nebraskans who were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept the state from May 22 - June 24, 2008 have less than four weeks to apply for disaster aid. The last day to register is Tuesday August 19, 2008.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials said anyone who had disaster losses should call FEMA's toll free number, 1-800-621-FEMA. People with hearing or speech impairments can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov/assistance.    » read more »

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 3, 2008 -- The long Fourth of July weekend offers an excellent opportunity to take a break from the stress and intense emotions caused by the recent storms, tornadoes and floods.

Everyone is affected by a disaster, even if they don't suffer direct losses. Emotions such as grief, sadness, shock, anger, helplessness and hopelessness are natural. Experts say it is important to talk about those emotions.

Stress caused by loss or traumatic experience can sneak up on people, too. It may not be recognized for weeks or months after the experience.

Here are warning signs of stress to be aware of:

* Trouble concentrating or remembering things;
* Difficulty making decisions;    » read more »

Kansas City, Kan., July 3, 2008 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting air sampling for asbestos and air monitoring for particulates as Iowa communities clean up from recent floods.

EPA on-scene coordinators will assess air quality by using fixed monitoring equipment situated at key points throughout the flood-damaged area. The initial locations for sampling and monitoring activities include the cities of Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Fort Madison, Iowa City, Keokuk, Montrose, Parkersburg, and Waterloo and Louisa County. The monitoring has begun in each of these locations.    » read more »

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va., July 3, 2008 -- Like moths to a candle, disasters seem to attract slippery predators skilled at preying on the pain and misfortune of others.

That is a warning by officials of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) to residents affected by the storms, tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather of June 3-7.

"In disaster situations, there are often those who are ready to take advantage of such situations," said State Coordinating Officer Jimmy Gianato. "Be especially alert for phone or door-to-door solicitors who hand out flyers and promise to speed up the insurance or building permit process, and those who ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full."    » read more »

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.    » read more »

MADISON, Wis., June 24, 2008 -- Understanding FEMA's assistance and being prepared for the on-site property inspection can cut the time it takes to get disaster aid, state and local officials said today. Assistance with housing needs and necessary expenses may be available to Wisconsin residents affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials say that the first step is to register with FEMA. If you live in one of the 22 counties in which President Bush has authorized aid to individuals, you should call, toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, for those with speech or hearing impairments, (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. You can also register via FEMA's Web site, www.fema.gov.    » read more »

Madison, Wis., June 24, 2008 -- "Even though valuable photographs and family heirlooms have been damaged by June storms, they can sometimes be saved if certain procedures are followed," says Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The federal coordinating officer is appointed by the president to lead the federal portion of the federal/state disaster response and recovery efforts.

Photographs may be the only record of special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and graduations. Damaged photographs for which there are no negatives available should receive attention first. Once photographs have stuck together or become moldy, saving them may not be possible.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., June 23, 2008 -- The federal disaster declaration on Friday, June 20, 2008 opens the door for recovery assistance for Nebraskans according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

If you live in Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Dawson, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platte, Richardson, Sarpy or Saunders County, there are a number of programs available for eligible applicants.

Disaster assistance may include:    » read more »

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2008 -- The recent wave of flooding in Wisconsin has prompted two communities in Columbus County to seek - and win -- reinstatement into the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), disaster-management officials announced today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) removed the towns of Columbus and Fall River from the program earlier this year because they had not developed requisite ordinances adopting their new Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Both communities have now fulfilled this requirement and are now reinstated.    » read more »