Disaster declarations

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 »

State Officials Update Iowans On Flooding Situation

June 17, 2008 -- (Johnston) - Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced that FEMA has approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Allamakee, Des Moines, Fremont, and Harrison Counties.They have been approved for individual assistance, and Clayton County for both individual and public assistance.

Flooded Iowa house: Photo by talkradionews (CC)

In addition, Adams, Linn, Winnesheik, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Worth, and Wright were approved for public assistance under a Presidential Disaster Declaration.    » read more »

Individual Assistance Now Available in Seven Counties; Others Expected to Follow

June 16, 2008 -- MADISON — Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared a state of disaster for Richland and Racine counties, bringing the number of Wisconsin counties where individual assistance is available to seven.

FEMA over the weekend made federal assistance available to those living in Columbia, Crawford, Milwaukee, Sauk and Vernon counties and is conducting damage assessments to allow declarations in other counties.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement following Governor Rod Blagojevich’s preemptive declaration of state disaster areas for some Illinois countries that are expecting major floods next week. Earlier today, Obama and Durbin sent a letter to the Governor asking him to consider making this declaration.

“We commend Governor Blagojevich for his decision to preemptively call for state assistance to deal with the expected flooding in the days ahead.

“This declaration will ensure our state's emergency personnel have the resources they need to prepare Illinois communities in affected flood areas.

“We will continue to do everything we can to help our state to face this challenge.”    » read more »

June 13, 2007 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today submitted a request to President George W. Bush for a federal disaster declaration following several weeks of severe storms that have produced tornadoes, high winds, lightning, and flooding throughout much of Nebraska.

Damage assessments from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicate at least $22 million in damages to public infrastructure.    » read more »

39 counties now under a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation

June 9, 2008 -- (DES MOINES) - Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver added eight counties to the list of counties that have been proclaimed emergency disaster areas. The additional counties are: Mitchell, Clayton, Kossuth, Wright, Hamilton, Bremer, Linn, and Iowa.

The list previously included: Fremont, Page, Montgomery, Adams, Union, Clarke, Marion, Johnson, Jasper, Polk, Dallas, Crawford, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Benton, Dubuque, Delaware, Buchanan, Blackhawk, Hardin, Webster, Humboldt, Franklin, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Chickasaw, Winneshiek and Worth.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- George W. Bush yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Indiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on June 6, 2008, and continuing.

Flooding in Columbus, Indiana, June 2008: Photo by Glenn J. Ward (CC)    » read more »

Action comes after severe weather moved through the state overnight

May 30, 2008 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver has issued a disaster proclamation for Dubuque and Marion Counties following a series of severe storms that moved through the state last night.

Flooding in Ames, Iowa, May 30, 2008: Photo by Sarah Serendipity (CC)

"For the second time in less than a week, severe storms have once again hit our state," said Governor Culver. "State government stands ready to do its part to help those individuals in Dubuque and Marion Counties who have been affected by these storms.”    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- ATLANTA - Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue asked President Bush for a major disaster declaration to assist residents and local governments in Cherokee County with emergency response measures and aid for losses resulting from the severe weather and tornadoes that occurred on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

“This is the third tornado event this spring that has disrupted the lives of our citizens and devastated one of our communities,” said Governor Perdue. “I am hopeful that our federal partners will recognize the extent of this damage and will render the appropriate assistance to help the residents of Cherokee County recover in the aftermath of this severe weather.”    » 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 »

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 24, 2008 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter tonight signed a request for federal disaster assistance for individuals, agricultural producers and businesses that sustained damage and suffered losses from Thursday's northern Colorado tornadoes.

The request was forwarded to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review and will then be forwarded to President Bush.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- EXECUTIVE ORDER
Declaring a Disaster Emergency Due to Severe Tornadoes in Northern Colorado

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Governor of the State of Colorado and, in particular, pursuant to relevant portions of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act of 1992, C.R.S. § 24-32-2100, et seq., I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order declaring a state of disaster emergency due to severe tornadoes in northern Colorado.

Angry skies in Colorado: Photo by jef(f) (CC)

1. Background and Purpose    » 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 »