FEMA

March 11, 2009 -- HOLYOKE, MA. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now obligated in excess of $5 million to reimburse seven Massachusetts counties for the eligible costs associated with their response to the December 11, 2008 ice storm.

More than 277 Massachusetts communities and eligible private-non-profits in the seven declared counties, as well as several state agencies, have applied for federal assistance through FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program. These entities applied for aid to offset the costs of eligible resources associated with the state and local response during the incident period which lasted from December 11 through December 18, 2008.    » read more »

March 11, 2009 -- AUSTIN, Texas -- Thursday and Friday are big days for many Galvestonians displaced from their homes as a result of Hurricane Ike. On Thursday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of Texas will open a temporary community site for mobile homes in the city of Galveston. Another community site will open Friday in Galveston County on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The new 9-acre community site opening Thursday at Schreiber Field in the city of Galveston holds 54 mobile homes for Texas individuals and families, and one administration building that will be used by on-site management and security. The second park, in High Island on the Bolivar Peninsula, is 9 ½ acres and designed for 50 Texas households.    » read more »

March 10, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has asked President Obama’s administration to approve individual assistance for qualifying Kentucky residents who suffered severe damages to their homes and property in the January winter storm.    » read more »

March 6, 2009 -- DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Tuscola Fire following a request for a fire management assistance declaration from the State of Texas on Thursday.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 350 homes in and around the communities of Tuscola and Potosi, in Taylor County. The fire threatened buildings, infrastructure, and utilities in the area. Voluntary evacuations were issued for twenty people, two homes burned, and US highways 83 and 84 were closed due to the fire. The fire started on Thursday and had burned in excess of 150 acres of private land.    » read more »

March 6, 2009 -- DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Taloga Fire following a request for a fire management assistance declaration from the State of Oklahoma on Thursday.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 372 homes in and around the community of Taloga, in Dewey County. The fire threatened buildings, roads and bridges, infrastructure, utilities, recreation, equipment, fishing streams and spawning sites, and wildlife in the area. Voluntary evacuations were issued for over 200 people. The fire started on Thursday, and had burned in excess of 20,000 acres of State and private land.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The $9 million in disaster assistance that has gone to residents affected by the mid- January, severe winter weather is partly the result of the extensive community relations effort of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD). These officials spread throughout the state, knocking on doors and talking to people affected by the January 6-16, 2009, severe winter storm, landslides and flooding. They are encouraging people from 15 designated counties to apply for disaster assistance before the deadline of March 31.    » read more »

March 06, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry said today he is extremely pleased that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to fight the Taloga fire.

“Firefighters and other first-responders have done an incredible job battling the Taloga wildfire, and I am thankful that FEMA moved swiftly to provide federal assistance for their efforts,” Gov. Henry said. “Nearly the entire town of Taloga was evacuated at the height of the fire. This aid will go a long way toward helping the agencies involved in battling the blaze.”

The Governor said state emergency management officials are monitoring conditions throughout Oklahoma that have the potential for the spread of significant wildfires.    » read more »

March 5, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that President Obama has approved New York State’s appeal and declared nine counties eligible for major federal disaster assistance for the damages that resulted from the December 2008 ice storm. The counties included in the major disaster declaration are Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington.    » read more »

State’s federal disaster declaration request approved by President Obama

METROPOLIS – March 5, 2009. On Thursday at 3:00 p.m., at the Metropolis Community Center, 900 West 10th St., Illinois Governor Pat Quinn formally announced that President Barack Obama approved the state’s request for federal assistance for nine southern Illinois counties that were damaged by a severe winter storm in January.

“This ice storm was devastating to southern Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “It is very reassuring, especially during these tough economic times, to know these nine counties will receive federal financial assistance so that southern Illinois can continue to move forward with the recovery process.”    » read more »

Fugate Will Appear With DHS Secretary Napolitano Tomorrow in New Orleans

March 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Craig Fugate to be his FEMA Administrator.

On the nomination of Craig Fugate, President Obama said, "From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida’s Emergency Manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA. I’m confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.    » read more »

February 27, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Advance planning and quick response is the key to saving lives when confronted with tornadoes.

Severe storms that often spawn tornadoes can approach quickly, and there may be only a short time to make a life-or-death decision.

March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) encourages Missourians to prepare ahead for the worst.

"We remind all Missouri residents that each household needs to have a disaster preparedness plan," said FEMA's Tom Hall, federal coordinating officer for disaster operations in Missouri. "Planning and practicing specifically how and where you will take shelter in the event a tornado could be a matter of survival."    » 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 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the details of a new six-month transition rental assistance program for families currently enrolled in the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP-Katrina/Rita). HUD and FEMA will provide the additional assistance to families as needed until August 31 to give them more time to transition out of the DHAP program, either to self-sufficiency or other federal or state housing programs, including HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.    » 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 »