FEMA

02/17/2009 -- NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the federal government has approved his request for disaster assistance for seven counties in West Tennessee for damage from a winter storm that struck on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Bredesen requested the federal disaster aid for Dyer, Henry, Lake, Obion, Montgomery, Stewart and Weakley counties on Feb. 6.

Local governments and public utilities in the seven approved counties are now eligible for Public Assistance Program funds from the federal government. The public assistance designation also covers emergency response and recovery costs incurred by state government.    » read more »

February 17, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A request by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon for a major disaster declaration for parts of southern Missouri hit by last month's winter storms was granted today by President Barack Obama. The declaration paves the way for counties and local entities affected by the storms to seek millions of dollars in federal funds for disaster-related costs.

"I appreciate the President making this declaration so that our counties and communities can have the help they need in recovering their costs," Gov. Nixon said. "Those local officials responded very quickly to these ice storms, and this declaration will help speed their recovery."    » read more »

February 15, 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 the State of Oklahoma to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes during the period of February 10-11, 2009.

Acting FEMA Administrator Nancy Ward said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Obama. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Carter, Logan, and Oklahoma.    » read more »

February 10, 2009 -- NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- In support of a major nationwide United States Food & Drug Administration alert related to some peanut products suspected of causing salmonella food poisoning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) continue to take precautionary and proactive measures.

As a precautionary step, state and federal officials suggest that residents, who received disaster-relief meals other than military meals-ready-to-eat (MREs), inspect the contents and throw away any item containing peanut products such as peanut butter or peanut butter crackers. To date, there have been no reported cases of illness among anyone who has received disaster-relief meals.    » read more »

Kentucky Division of Water provides guidance on emergency water disinfection

February 10, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, KY -- As power outages and low water pressure problems persist in some areas of the commonwealth as a result of the ice storm, Kentucky officials are urging residents to properly disinfect water for in-home use, including drinking, cooking, making prepared drinks and brushing teeth.

The easiest alternative is to use bottled water if it is available.

"We remain concerned about the health, safety and welfare of Kentuckians as we all cope with the effects of this disaster," said Gen. John L. Heltzel, director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. "All of our commonwealth partners are active in providing help and information."    » read more »

February 3, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- There are less than scrupulous contractors out there, who prey on people in difficult circumstances.

Even more incredible are the fake offers of state and federal aid to disaster victims. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) encourage Missouri property owners to beware of scam artists that tend to follow disasters.

"Beware of imposters," said Tom Hall, FEMA's federal coordinating officer for disaster operations in Missouri. "FEMA and SEMA representatives always wear photo IDs."

Missouri residents who suspect price gouging or other fraud can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office at www.ago.mo.gov, or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at (573) 751-3321.    » read more »

January 29th, 2009 -- Last night, President Obama declared federal emergencies caused by winter storms in two states, answering requests for aid from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.

President Barack Obama signs an Emergency Declaration for the State of Arkansas Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, 2008 in the Oval Of: (White House photo by Pete Souza)

ARKANSAS

The President declared an emergency exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm beginning on January 26, 2009, and continuing.    » read more »

January 29, 2009 -- Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's emergency declaration issued for Arkansas.

"Emergency" is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.

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

* FEMA will direct other federal agencies and provide 75 percent federal funding for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, limited to this direct federal assistance.    » read more »

January 27, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today two action directives, on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) integration with state and local partners and national planning.    » 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 »

FEMA Urges Landlords To Register Rental Property

January 22, 2009 -- BILOXI, Miss. -- Federal officials have stepped up efforts to help Mississippi families continue their recovery and transition to permanent housing following Hurricane Katrina. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Housing Resource department has identified 5,684 available rental resources on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Landlords with available property are encouraged to contact FEMA so additional units can be listed. There are three phone numbers available to call: (228) 594-3507, (228) 594-2996 or toll-free (866) 877-6075, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also leave a message during non-working hours and a FEMA representative will respond.    » read more »

January 21, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "I will be stepping down as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) effective 12:00 p.m. on 21 January 2009. I want to take this opportunity to thank President Bush and Secretary Chertoff for the opportunity to serve them and the American public in this critical position during such an important time.    » read more »

September 1, 2008 -- Aboard Air Force One, En Route Austin, Texas -- MS. PERINO: Okay, we're on our way to Austin, Texas. I'm going to just give you a little bit about the schedule, and then turn it over to Dave Paulison, the Director of FEMA, to give you a little bit more about the day and answer your questions on that. And then I can follow up on other topics or other questions that you might have.    » 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 »

August 21, 2008 -- The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Fay beginning on August 18, 2008, and continuing.    » read more »