Storms

April 1, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced 16 additional counties will now be able to receive Federal Disaster Assistance, which will help individual citizens and businesses recover from the March flooding.

“I appreciate the quick response to our request for this assistance,” Gov. Blunt said. “Many homes were damaged or destroyed in these devastating floods. Now, Missouri families and Missouri businesses can register for this financial assistance to recover their personal and business losses.”    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today issued two State of Emergency Executive Orders for violent storms and severe weather including high winds, hail, tornadoes, flash flooding, and flooding currently affecting a large portion of the state.

The first executive order activates the State Emergency Operations Center, allowing state agency resources to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency response.

Members of a Coast Guard Disaster Area Response Team rescue victims from their flooded home in Eureka, Mo., March 20, 2008.: (Photo: CC Petty Officer 3rd Class Jaclyn Young)    » read more »

United Nations relief officials say nearly a million people across Southern Africa have suffered damaging effects from recent floods, cyclones and heavy rains.

The officials say severe weather that began last October has disrupted the lives of about 987,000 people.

They say Madagascar has been hardest hit, with more than 332,000 people affected by several cyclones and floods.

The floods and cyclones have destroyed homes, roads and crops across the region. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says many families are living in temporary shelters, while others have lost their cattle and livelihoods.

The U.N. says the worst weather is over for another year, but problems could persist through the end of April.    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today said state emergency responders are monitoring the weather closely as more rain is anticipated in Missouri. Gov. Blunt said state resources are readily available to assist Missouri families in the event that more flooding occurs in the next few days.

“Missouri has already seen the destruction caused by severe flooding, and forecasts show the possibility of significant rainfall in the coming days,” Gov. Blunt said. “We will be monitoring the weather closely and are prepared to assist should further needs arise. Our emergency responders have done a magnificent job in assisting Missourians who were impacted by the flood and they are ready to meet any new challenges that Mother Nature presents them.”    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that federal disaster funds have been made available for eight Wisconsin counties to supplement emergency response efforts to a major winter storm that hit the state in early February.

The eligible counties named in the snow emergency declaration are Dane, Dodge, Green, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Rock, Walworth, and Washington Counties. The declaration covers jurisdictions that were blanketed with record and near-record snowfall February 5-6, 2008.    » read more »

March 18, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed two State of Emergency Executive Orders for the severe weather and flooding that has struck Missouri.

The executive orders activate the State Emergency Operations Center allowing state agency resources to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency response, and activate the Missouri National Guard to assist with protective action.    » read more »

Declaration Request Covers Atlanta, Fulton County

March 17, 2008 -- CARTERSVILLE, Ga. – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that he has asked President Bush for an expedited major disaster declaration to assist the City of Atlanta and Fulton County with recovery efforts in the wake of storms that hit the city on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, 2008. If approved, this declaration will provide federal funds for emergency response measures and aid for losses.    » read more »

15 March 2008 -- A tornado ripped through the U.S. city of Atlanta, in the southeastern state of Georgia late Friday, injuring at least 30 people and causing extensive damage.

Officials told reporters Saturday the twister was 200 yards wide and traveled for six miles, cutting into the city's core.

The storm struck a major hotel, the headquarters of the Cable News Network and the Georgia Dome sports arena as thousands inside watched a college basketball game.

High wind tore holes in the dome's cloth roof, loosened bolts from the rafters and caused catwalks to sway.    » read more »

March 13, 2008 -- The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by record snow and near record snow during the period of February 5-6, 2008.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to the State and eligible local governments in the counties of Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lake, McHenry, Stephenson, and Winnebago.    » read more »

March 5, 2008 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia, directing state agencies to take all necessary actions to aid in the response to severe weather that affected several areas last night.

A declaration of emergency allows the Governor to immediately deploy state personnel, equipment and other emergency response resources, and to coordinate state and local response to the event.    » read more »

February 13, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has signed an Emergency Declaration allowing power crews from other states to come to Maine and to help restore electricity.

The Emergency Declaration was signed around 8 p.m. today to expedite power restoration for the approximately 66,900 households in the State currently without electricity. Lewiston, Augusta and Alfred are the hardest hit areas.    » read more »

February 12, 2008 -- With yet another winter storm looming, with the potential for power outages, MEMA and the Maine Center for Disease Control warn Maine citizens to be very careful using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters or other heating or power sources. If not used safely, these devices can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas formed when burning most types of fuels. Using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters, charcoal grills, and gas grills can cause poisoning if CO gas builds-up in closed in spaces.    » read more »

February 11, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will continue to support the states impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes.

FEMA is closely working with its state and local partners to assess damage and identify needs. Specialists from the agency are on site to support the response efforts already underway. Regional activities are as follow:

Tennessee
Status

* 1 shelters; 11 people (TN EMA/Region IV – 02/10/08 – 4:30 p.m. EST)    » read more »

Feb 11, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has added Franklin, Marion and Newton Counties to the list of state disaster areas due to the damage caused by powerful tornadoes and violent thunderstorms on Tuesday, February 5, taking the total to 13 counties. Beebe previously made declarations for Baxter, Conway, Independence, Izard, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Union and Van Buren Counties.    » read more »

02/08/2008 -- The federal government today authorized a major disaster declaration for five Tennessee counties. Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen asked President Bush yesterday to declare 21 counties federal disaster areas following Tuesday’s storms. In addition to the action today making federal funding available to individuals in Hardin, Macon, Madison, Shelby and Sumner Counties, declarations for additional Tennessee counties is expected as preliminary damage assessments for those counties are submitted.    » read more »