Flooding

October 26, 2009 -- ATLANTA, Ga. -- Just as every home should have a smoke alarm, every home should have an emergency supply kit packed and ready. And being prepared doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

While emergency preparedness is ongoing at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it's also an individual responsibility.

“You should be prepared to take care of yourself and members of your family for the first 72 hours – that’s three days – following a disaster such as a hurricane or the September flooding across Georgia,” said GEMA Director Charley English. “A big part of disaster preparation is knowledge and the state has developed a comprehensive disaster preparedness guide that is available online.”    » read more »

Funding from Energy and Water Appropriations bill essential for New Jersey’s economy, safety and environment

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) hailed the final passage of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which authorizes more than $159 million in funding for beach replenishment, flood control, energy and infrastructure projects. After House and Senate passage, the bill awaits the President’s signature.    » read more »

Actions Defend Levees and Roads During Unprecedented Rainfall

10/13/2009 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today directed his departments and agencies to take actions to prepare and respond to the needs of Californians during an unusually strong storm that will result in many parts of the state experiencing triple the amount of a typical October rain in one day. The storm is likely to reach its peak intensity in Northern California this afternoon and move towards Southern California tonight.    » read more »

Act on Multiple Peril Insurance legislation

October 13, 2009 -- Bay St. Louis, Miss. -- With the President's upcoming visit to New Orleans on October 15, 2009, Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) wrote Mr. Obama urging the Administration to reform the National Flood Insurance Program and revisit the Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2009, his proposed solution to the homeowner insurance crisis that is sweeping America's homeowners throughout the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states.

Rep. Taylor urged the Administration to engage "more actively in reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, providing for better disaster insurance coverage, and improving other disaster response and recovery programs."    » read more »

National Emergency Grant Will Provide Needed Funds to Ohio for Continued Efforts in Response to 2007 Flood Devastation

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service (ODJFS) will receive $1,507,168 in national emergency grant (NEG) funding for clean-up and recovery efforts still necessary after the 2007 flooding in Northwest Ohio.

“Although this flooding occurred more than two years ago, Ohioans are still reminded of the damage it caused,” Brown said. “These funds will support efforts to help Northwest Ohio communities recover and rebuild.”    » read more »

September 1, 2009 -- Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's major disaster declaration issued for New York.

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

* Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)    » read more »

September 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for New York and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding during the period of August 8-10, 2009.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said the president's action makes federal funding 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 the severe storms and flooding in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie Counties.    » read more »

08/24/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today participated in a groundbreaking for the Star Bend Setback Levee in Sutter County, an important project for improving local and regional flood protection that he expedited last year. Funding for the project was fast-tracked in February 2008 when Gov. Schwarzenegger released $211 million in Prop 1E funding for four early implementation projects.

The Lower Feather River Setback Levee project received $16.3 million of that funding, which Levee District One in Sutter County used to help speed up their construction timeline.    » read more »

Offers Plan to Spur Housing Construction in Indiana Disaster Areas; Legislation would free up $230 million to create jobs, rebuild Hoosier communities devastated by floods

June 23, 2009 -- Washington -- Senator Evan Bayh today proposed legislation that would make $230 million in funding immediately available to begin work on shovel-ready affordable housing developments in flood-ravaged areas of Indiana.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the Bayh legislation could create up to 1,728 new jobs in Indiana.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After extensive flooding in southern West Virginia in 2001, 2002 and 2004 left many West Virginians without safe and adequate housing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) brought in temporary housing units until homes could be repaired or rebuilt.

Each time the portable housing units were brought in, FEMA also had to find suitable locations on which to place them. Finding or building a temporary housing location that is out of harm’s way and that has public utilities and access can take two to three months. That can seem like a long wait for a family that is without their home, said Larry Puccio, chief of staff for Gov. Joe Manchin and the governor’s designee on the West Virginia Housing Development Fund’s board of directors.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - After an appeal by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance to individuals has been made available to residents of Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery counties affected by recent flooding.

The announcement is a reversal of FEMA’s original decision denying Alabama’s request for assistance for individuals, and was announced just hours after an appeal was filed by Governor Riley on Friday, June 19.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Bruce Braley announced today that more than $8.5 million in federal and state funds have been identified and are in final approval for disaster recovery efforts around the state. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“I am proud to announce this new funding for the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District,” said Governor Culver. “This is one more sign that Iowa’s rebuilding efforts are continuing one year after the devastating floods and storms of 2008. Our work is far from finished, and I look forward to working with all Iowans as we build a stronger, safer, smarter Iowa.”    » read more »

Harkin Announces Nearly $13.5 Million In FEMA Flood Recovery Funds For Benton, Louisa, Des Moines Counties And Cedar Rapids

June 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Benton, Des Moines Counties, and the City of Cedar Rapids a total of $13,341,245.73 in federal grants to reimburse expenses caused by this past summer’s flooding. Today’s announcement is another step in the continuing process of rebuilding in the state.    » read more »

Lake Delton Receiving More Than $300,000 to Rebuild Dam, Protect Against Future Floods

June 09, 2009 -- LAKE DELTON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 34 communities would share $39,220,410 in federal supplemental funds under the Community Development Block Grant Program. These funds will help the communities recover from damage sustained during the 2008 floods.

“Wisconsin’s people, communities, and businesses reacted to the natural disasters last summer with spirit, hard work, and generosity,” Governor Doyle said. “Securing this additional federal funding will help families and businesses continue to recover from the worst flooding in our state’s history.”    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that more than $10 million in federal and state funds have been identified and are in final approval for disaster recovery efforts around the state. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“No one will ever forget the devastation caused by the floods of 2008 in these three counties,” said Governor Culver. “But rebuilding continues, and one by one, communities are returning to normal. I appreciate the help of our federal partners, and I am proud to join with Congressman Loebsack in our common efforts at helping people who remain in need.”    » read more »