Flooding

USDA Highlights Preparations for Regions Affected by Flooding

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today discussed how the USDA is preparing to assist regions affected by flooding. USDA is prepared to provide personnel and resources to help save lives and support recovery operations in areas devastated by flooding.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who will be impacted by flooding in the Nation's heartland," said Vilsack. "We are working tirelessly to identify and send all of the resources we can offer to those who are in need and will expedite delivery of these services however we can."

The USDA is mobilizing the following resources:    » read more »

March 25, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and numerous federal and state partners are continuing to join forces to support North Dakota communities facing severe flood threats.

On Tuesday, President Obama declared a major disaster declaration for North Dakota. The President's action made federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to help in flood fighting efforts.    » read more »

March 25, 2009 -- Saint Paul – In a letter to President Obama, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today requested an expedited disaster declaration for the State of Minnesota as a result of severe storms and flooding in Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties.

“The outpouring of community support I saw along the Red River this week should make every Minnesotan proud,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Our neighbors are battling the river and the state is working together with local partners to provide every available amount of assistance. Soon we’ll need federal support to help our communities recover from this flooding. I’m hopeful the federal government will grant our request promptly.”    » read more »

March 23, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - Pursuant to the statewide emergency flood disaster declaration issued by Gov. John Hoeven on March 13, 2009, the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, N.D. National Guard, N.D. Department of Transportation and other agencies are assisting in flood fighting efforts around the state of North Dakota. These actions follow state preparation efforts coordinated with local authorities, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.

Fargo    » read more »

March 18, 2009 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Saint Paul will be partially activated in response to increasing flood preparedness activities being undertaken by state emergency management officials, officials in counties adjacent to the Red River, the Army Corps of Engineers and others.

The Governor also directed Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy to organize “Minnesota Prepares,” an effort that will include state agencies officials who work together as the Minnesota Recovers Task Force in response to a natural disaster.    » read more »

March 16, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today issued a statewide disaster declaration in anticipation of potential flooding, citing heavy snow pack on saturated land around the state and flood forecasts by the National Weather Service indicating "a strong potential for significant flooding in river basins throughout the state."

Hoeven formally requested assistance from the Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to supplement state and local efforts. Hoeven said, "Because of the urgent and compelling flood threat, I am requesting Corps assistance for flood control efforts in the Devils Lake, James River, Souris River, and Red River of the North basins, as needed."    » read more »

Announces $1.1 Million in Grants to Communities in 21 Counties

March 12, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Communities in 21 counties will benefit from new state investments announced today by Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell that will help to ensure vital flood protection measures are in peak working order and protecting local residents.

The Governor said the state was directing $1.1 million in flood protection grants to assist with maintenance and improve operations at 28 locally operated flood protection projects.    » read more »

February 24, 2009 -- ATLANTA, Ga. -- The state of North Carolina will receive $5 million for a statewide risk assessment and mitigation strategy demonstration of the potential impacts of climate change-induced sea level rise.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will use the results of this study to assess the long-term fiscal implications of climate change as it affects the frequency and effects of natural disasters. Information from the study will be shared with other states to inform their climate change mitigation efforts.    » read more »

February 20, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Bruce Braley today announced that more than $5.1 million in federal and state funds has been identified and is in final approval for two conservation related recovery projects in Iowa. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“Repairing our infrastructure after last years natural disasters means more than just roads and bridges. We must rebuild every facet of our state’s infrastructure, such as our conservation trails and bridges. These are essential to our state’s full recovery,” Governor Culver noted. “I will continue to work with federal partners to ensure Iowans are aided in all aspects of the recovery effort,” Culver stressed.    » read more »

February 17, 2009 -- Regular business or homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage.

The only way to get flood insurance is through the federally funded National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If your community participates in the program, you are eligible - whether or not you live in a high-risk flood zone.

Communities that participate in the NFIP have agreed to follow certain floodplain management regulations that reduce the risk and dangers of floods. That is why residents of participating communities can qualify for flood insurance that compensates owners and renters for all covered flood-related losses to a home or business after the deductible is met.

The Top Ten Reasons to Buy Flood Insurance Now:    » read more »

FEMA urges North Dakotans to be prepared

February 17, 2009 -- Mitigation experts have several recommendations to help people get ready for flood waters.

First and foremost on the list is to get flood insurance. In North Dakota, the average cost of flood insurance is about $620 a year. Since 1978, state residents have collected almost $134 million in insurance reimbursements.

It’s the first thing to do because there is a 30-day waiting period before a policy can take effect. If the waters are rising, it may be too late to file a flood insurance claim.

Other steps you can take to protect your family and your property include:    » read more »

Jan. 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Significant loss of life, destroyed property and businesses, and repairs to infrastructure could be avoided by replacing Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps with ones that contain high-accuracy and high-resolution land surface elevation data, says a new report from the National Research Council.

The benefits of more accurate flood maps will outweigh the costs, mainly because insurance premiums and building restrictions would better match the actual flood risks. Coastal region flood maps could also be improved by updating current models and using two-dimensional storm surge and wave models.    » read more »

Jan. 23, 2009 -- HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell reiterated his support today for ongoing efforts to further reduce the risk of future flooding along the Delaware River and called for an additional measure to protect residents and communities throughout the basin.

Since Dec. 13, 1.5 billion of gallons of water—the maximum amount allowed—have been released daily from the reservoirs, creating space to accommodate seasonal precipitation.

Governor Rendell has called for the daily maximum release to continue and has requested that New York City further increase this daily amount to lower reservoir levels.    » read more »

January 22, 2009 -- OLYMPIA — Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today asked President Obama to declare a federal disaster area in nine Washington counties impacted by flooding, mudslides and avalanches caused by severe weather earlier this month.

Gregoire requested federal assistance for Clark, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties. Damage surveys are continuing this week and the results are expected to add counties to the disaster declaration request.    » read more »

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 »