FEMA

Federal Disaster Assistance Coming

May 28, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today signed the latest disaster-relief agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make federal individual-assistance funds available to storm victims in Arkansas and Phillips Counties. On the night of May 10, an EF3 tornado struck Stuttgart in Arkansas County and straight-line winds did significant damage in Phillips County. In addition to individual assistance for storm victims, Arkansas County is also qualified for public assistance to help cover the costs of rebuilding infrastructure in and around Stuttgart.    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Mississippi and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes on April 4, 2008.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Hinds County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- President Bush signs a Major Declaration for the state of Iowa (Butler County) for Individual Assistance, emergency protective measures, limited to Direct Federal Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide within hours after receiving the Governor’s request for an expedited declaration. FEMA continues to monitor the severe storms and tornadoes across the nation and work with federal, state and local partners to identify needs and resources needed to respond to respond to them.

Region 7/Iowa:

* FEMA Liaison deployed to State EOC.
* Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) deploying to Parkersburg, IA from Joplin, MO to provide a command and control platform for FEMA responders.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 27, 2008 -- 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 Iowa to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on May 25, 2008, and continuing.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Butler County.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's major disaster declaration issued for Iowa.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

* Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)    » read more »

Additional damage discovered after original request for assistance was denied

May 23, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today asked President Bush to declare fifteen southern Illinois counties federal disaster areas after severe flooding hit the area in March.

Illinois flooding, March 2008: Photo by Sarah Kanouse (CC)    » read more »

May 26, 2008 -- George W. Bush today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Colorado and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes on May 22, 2008.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Larimer and Weld Counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced this evening that federal authorities have approved his request for federal disaster assistance to individuals and businesses in Craig, Latimer and Pittsburg counties impacted by the May 10 tornadoes.

The approval for individual assistance in the three counties comes only hours after the Governor made the request. The designation ensures federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.    » read more »

Assistance Will Help Missourians Impacted by May 10 Tornadoes

May 23, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced President Bush approved a request for Individual Assistance for Barry, Jasper and Newton Counties impacted by the May 10, 2008 tornadoes. FEMA has not made a decision on the governor’s request for Public Assistance for that same disaster.

Missouri lightning strike: Photo by Mohan R (CC)    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today visited Aroostook County for the fourth time since the area was hit by severe flooding earlier this month.

“It takes time for communities to recover from a natural disaster,” Governor Baldacci said. “The process has begun, but it’s far from over. All of Maine wants to make sure the folks hurt by the flooding know that we will not forget their struggles and stand ready to help.”

Today Governor Baldacci visited Fort Kent, Soldier Pond, Wallagrass, Portage and Island Falls during the trip. On Tuesday, the governor visited flood-damaged areas in Penobscot County.    » read more »

Residents May Call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA to Apply for Assistance

May 23, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that President George W. Bush approved a Federal Disaster Declaration today for the 14 counties that Governor Perdue requested aid for following the tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that hit Georgia on May 11-12.

"I am grateful to President Bush and FEMA Director Paulison for their quick action in offering assistance," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This Federal Disaster Declaration will broaden our capability to recover from these devastating storms."

This means that individual assistance is now available to disaster victims in 10 counties: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs.    » read more »

May 20, 2008 -- The President (George W. Bush) today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes beginning on May 2, 2008, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Benton, Cleburne, Conway, Crittenden, Grant, Lonoke, Mississippi, Pulaski, Saline, and Van Buren.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.    » read more »

May 20, 2008 -- The President (George W. Bush) today declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ordered Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides, and landslides during the period of April 3-4, 2008.

Federal funding is available to Commonwealth 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 the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides, and landslides in the counties of Anderson, Crittenden, Fleming, Fulton, Hancock, Hopkins, Lewis, Livingston, McLean, Nicholas, Ohio, Spencer, and Woodford.    » read more »

May 19, 2008 -- The Department of Defense purchased relief supplies from FEMA to aid earthquake victims in China. Supplies included food, blankets, water containers, generators, lanterns, tarps and tents.

Less than 24 hours after receiving the request from the United States Pacific Command, FEMA had delivered 17 pallets of relief supplies from its Pacific Distribution Center to the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii for transport to aid earthquake victims in China.

The supplies were loaded onto an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane on Saturday and flown nonstop to Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, China. DOD also stocked a second air cargo jet in Alaska with FEMA supplies for delivery to China.

Source: FEMA

May 14, 2008 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds is requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration for public assistance in the counties most impacted by the May 1-2 snow storms. The request is part of the process for receiving federal disaster funds.

The preliminary damage report done by the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and local officials shows more than $7.5 million in estimated damage to public infrastructure in Bennett, Butte, Harding, Jackson, and Perkins Counties.

Additionally, Butte, Harding, and Lawrence Counties experienced record or near record snowfall indicating they may be eligible for snow removal assistance from FEMA.    » read more »