FEMA

Request for Public Assistance Granted; Request for Individual Assistance Denied; Governor Requests FEMA Damage Assessments for Flood Damage

August 11, 2008 -- CONCORD — President Bush today granted New Hampshire Governor John Lynch’s request for a major disaster declaration for damage caused by the recent tornado. The President granted The Governor’s request for public assistance, but not individual assistance.

“FEMA’s damage assessment found that communities suffered major and costly damage,” Gov. Lynch said. “I’m pleased that President Bush has moved to issue this disaster declaration to provide financial assistance to communities."    » read more »

FEMA Staging Assets and Deploying Response Teams in Response to Hurricane Dolly

July 23, 2008 -- Tropical Storm Dolly has intensified into a Category 2 hurricane. FEMA is working closely with the state of Texas to identify resources and pre-position supplies if needed post landfall.

Hurricane Dolly Warning: Corpus Christi,TX, July 23, 2008 -- Early morning warnings on US Interstate 37, warns motorists of pending conditions from Hurricane Dolly. (Photo Credit: Barry Bahler/FEMA)    » read more »

AUGUSTA, Maine, July 22, 2008 -- According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), more than $5,139,716 in assistance has been approved following the severe storms and flooding that struck the northern and mid-coast regions of Maine this spring. Of that total, more than $1.9 million in grants and loans have been provided to Maine households.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- More than $2.6 million in disaster aid is approved for Nebraska individuals and business owners who sustained damage during the storms, tornadoes and flooding that hammered the state from May 22 to June 24, 2008. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said to date, more than 2,000 people registered for disaster aid.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has allocated well over to $1.4 million of the approved amount in the form of low-interest home and business loans.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- Nebraskans who were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept the state from May 22 - June 24, 2008 have less than four weeks to apply for disaster aid. The last day to register is Tuesday August 19, 2008.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials said anyone who had disaster losses should call FEMA's toll free number, 1-800-621-FEMA. People with hearing or speech impairments can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov/assistance.    » read more »

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 3, 2008 -- The long Fourth of July weekend offers an excellent opportunity to take a break from the stress and intense emotions caused by the recent storms, tornadoes and floods.

Everyone is affected by a disaster, even if they don't suffer direct losses. Emotions such as grief, sadness, shock, anger, helplessness and hopelessness are natural. Experts say it is important to talk about those emotions.

Stress caused by loss or traumatic experience can sneak up on people, too. It may not be recognized for weeks or months after the experience.

Here are warning signs of stress to be aware of:

* Trouble concentrating or remembering things;
* Difficulty making decisions;    » read more »

Beware of Scams

Kansas City, Kan., July 3, 2008 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not currently conducting indoor air sampling in response to the Iowa flooding.

EPA on-scene coordinators are assessing outdoor air quality by using fixed monitoring equipment situated at key points throughout the flood-damaged area. The initial locations for outdoor air sampling and monitoring activities include the cities of Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Fort Madison, Iowa City, Keokuk, Montrose, Parkersburg, and Waterloo, and Louisa County. The monitoring has begun in each of these locations.    » read more »

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va., July 3, 2008 -- Like moths to a candle, disasters seem to attract slippery predators skilled at preying on the pain and misfortune of others.

That is a warning by officials of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) to residents affected by the storms, tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather of June 3-7.

"In disaster situations, there are often those who are ready to take advantage of such situations," said State Coordinating Officer Jimmy Gianato. "Be especially alert for phone or door-to-door solicitors who hand out flyers and promise to speed up the insurance or building permit process, and those who ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full."    » read more »

BILOXI, Miss., July 1, 2008 -- Lights, camera, action! The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office (TRO) raised the curtain on a new initiative created especially for young citizens. FEMA in the Classroom is designed to empower and educate elementary school-age children to protect themselves, their families and their pets.

The program, designed by Public Affairs staff from FEMA's Mississippi TRO, uses various hands-on projects and other activities to explain disaster preparedness topics such as creating a family disaster kit, drafting a family communications plan and pet preparedness.    » read more »

Today And Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to coordinate the operational and support activities of numerous federal agencies in response to continued flooding in the Midwest.

FEMA and its federal partners are working closely with state and local governments as well as with the private sector to support those areas still fighting the floods and to assist those beginning the rebuilding process.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

* Where waters have receded, FEMA disaster assistance workers are providing resources to individuals seeking assistance in the Midwest.    » read more »

MADISON, Wis., June 24, 2008 -- Understanding FEMA's assistance and being prepared for the on-site property inspection can cut the time it takes to get disaster aid, state and local officials said today. Assistance with housing needs and necessary expenses may be available to Wisconsin residents affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials say that the first step is to register with FEMA. If you live in one of the 22 counties in which President Bush has authorized aid to individuals, you should call, toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, for those with speech or hearing impairments, (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. You can also register via FEMA's Web site, www.fema.gov.    » read more »

Madison, Wis., June 24, 2008 -- "Even though valuable photographs and family heirlooms have been damaged by June storms, they can sometimes be saved if certain procedures are followed," says Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The federal coordinating officer is appointed by the president to lead the federal portion of the federal/state disaster response and recovery efforts.

Photographs may be the only record of special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and graduations. Damaged photographs for which there are no negatives available should receive attention first. Once photographs have stuck together or become moldy, saving them may not be possible.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., June 23, 2008 -- The federal disaster declaration on Friday, June 20, 2008 opens the door for recovery assistance for Nebraskans according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

If you live in Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Dawson, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platte, Richardson, Sarpy or Saunders County, there are a number of programs available for eligible applicants.

Disaster assistance may include:    » read more »

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2008 -- The recent wave of flooding in Wisconsin has prompted two communities in Columbus County to seek - and win -- reinstatement into the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), disaster-management officials announced today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) removed the towns of Columbus and Fall River from the program earlier this year because they had not developed requisite ordinances adopting their new Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Both communities have now fulfilled this requirement and are now reinstated.    » read more »

Madison, Wis. June 23, 2008 -- Individuals who can't work because of the severe storms, tornadoes and ongoing flooding that began on June 5 may be eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

The benefits are funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a 26-week program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (WDWD).

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for DUA, you must meet all the following criteria:

* Live in a county declared for federal disaster assistance (see list below).
* Are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
* Unemployment was a direct result of the recent storms.
* Live or worked in the disaster area.    » read more »