Flooding

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 »

June 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to create jobs, restore habitats, and mitigate flooding along the Pawtuxet, Pocasset, and Meshanticut Rivers, Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation today announced that the state will receive over $2.3 million through the federal Recovery Act for flood protection projects in Cranston and West Warwick. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Rhode Island will receive over $1.95 million to purchase easements and conduct restoration at 4 sites and approximately $400,000 to design, engineer, and obtain permitting for these projects.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alabama and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, and straight-line winds during the period of May 6-8, 2009.

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 the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, and straight-line winds in the counties of Autauga, Bullock, Elmore, and Montgomery.

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

Builds on USDA Efforts to Create Jobs, Help Rural Communities and Conserve Natural Resources

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., June 2, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today selected 289 applications for the first national sign-up for floodplain easements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The easements will cover more the 36,000 acres of land in 36 states.    » read more »

USDA to Provide $3.3 million for Honey Creek Watershed Project, $8.1 million for Additional Indiana Floodplain Projects through Recovery Act

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., June 2, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will provide nearly $3.3 million for the Honey Creek Watershed Project in Terra Haute, Ind., and more than $8.1 million in floodplain easements in Indiana through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.    » read more »

06/02/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today announced that two Louisiana floodplain easement applications have been selected for funding under the Recovery Act of 2009. The easements will cover 710 acres in Tensas Parish and 341 acres in Richland Parish. As a result of this $1,798,528 investment, about 300,000 hardwood trees will be planted. These trees will reduce the loss of future commodity crops by removing the land from crop production, and will help restore the habitat of the threatened Louisiana black bear.    » read more »

Federal assistance helps convert flood lands

6/2/09 -- WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that $19.7 million will be directed to Wisconsin under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funding will help restore 4,040 acres of Wisconsin floodplains to their natural state.

“These funds will improve habitat, water quality, flood prevention and conservation,” Kohl said. “That our state had so many successful applications is a testament to Wisconsin landowners and our conservation professionals. This is a significant boost to sustainability in Wisconsin.”    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today applauded Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $755,000 in funding for the Bear Creek Watershed Project in Winneshiek County. The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Recovery Act, and will help to provide the financial and technical assistance necessary to construct flood control dams in the area.

Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry as well as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and helped to secure these funds in the final version of the Recovery Act.    » read more »

Lawmakers Want Temporary Levees Turned into Permanent Protection

June 2, 2009 -- Washington – With floodwaters receding across North Dakota, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is advocating that temporary dikes be removed completely from communities impacted by spring flooding. However, Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy are concerned that removal of the emergency dikes would leave communities with reduced flood protection.

The Congressional delegation today urged FEMA officials to allow federal funds targeted for dike removal to instead be used to upgrade the temporary levees used in this spring’s flood fight to more permanent structures.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Iowa Governor Chet Culver and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $4.6 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment to St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation and Coe College of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to help build an energy efficient, natural gas, steam heating plant that will restore permanent heating capacity to the hospital and college following flood damage inflicted in 2008. St. Luke’s Hospital and Coe College employ more than 3,000 workers.

The announcement comes after Governor Culver met with Secretary Locke in Washington, D.C., to discuss ongoing recovery efforts after last year’s natural disasters.    » read more »

05/29/2009 -- KAMPEN -- U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today concluded her Congressional Delegation trip to the Netherlands where she studied the Dutch integrated water management system with federal government officials, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Dutch's ability to manage water is world-renowned, and the Netherlands shares many of Louisiana's challenges with protecting populations and economic infrastructure below sea level.    » read more »

Additional areas can be added as damage assessments continue

May 27, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared three additional southern West Virginia counties eligible for disaster aid following extensive flooding earlier this month.

McDowell and Raleigh Counties have been added for individual assistance and public assistance, and Mercer County for public assistance. Gov. Manchin this past weekend had requested the additional counties be added to the existing declaration for Mingo and Wyoming counties.    » read more »