Disaster declarations

February 17, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced today that the White House has approved his request for public assistance for four Oklahoma counties hit hard by January ice storms.

As a result, local governments and rural electric cooperatives in Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Hughes counties can receive federal funding for infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storm.

Gov. Henry made the request on Feb. 10. In those four counties alone, the ice storm resulted in an estimated $7.3 million in infrastructure damage and response costs.    » 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 »

Gov. Beshear sought declaration this week following devastating winter storms

February 05, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky.— Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today received word from the White House that President Barack Obama has granted the governor’s request for a major disaster declaration for the commonwealth of Kentucky, following the devastating winter storm that has paralyzed parts of the state and left hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians without electricity, water and heat.    » read more »

Feb 4, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Cross, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Poinsett, Pope, Randolph, Scott, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington Counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by last week's ice storm.

Beebe has also submitted a request to President Obama for a federal major disaster declaration for 25 of these counties where FEMA assessments have already taken place. Additional counties will be added to the federal request as those assessments continue.    » read more »

Declaration would bring federal assistance for estimated $77 million in ice-storm damage

Feb 3, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe this afternoon asked President Obama to declare a major disaster in 25 Arkansas counties hit hard by last week's ice storm. The counties include Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Conway, Craighead, Cross, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington.

The declaration would bring federal assistance to cover 75 percent of the estimated $77 million in damages to public infrastructure in the affected counties, including utility systems, roads and bridges, water-control facilities and debris removal.    » read more »

February 02, 2009 --FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today asked President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster for the commonwealth of Kentucky, following the devastating winter storm that has paralyzed parts of the state and left hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians without electricity, water and heat.

Moreover, given the breadth of the crisis, the governor is asking the federal government to pick up additional costs incurred for the use of an unprecedented number of National Guardsmen and storm costs that already have exceeded an estimated $45 million. The storm is believed to be the worst natural disaster in modern Kentucky history.    » read more »

January 29, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire this week requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration declare an economic injury disaster for businesses in all of Washington’s 39 counties because of the December snowstorms.

“The declaration can be a major boost in helping business owners recover from the effects of the snowstorms in an already difficult economic environment,” Gregoire said. “I urge the SBA to take prompt action on this request so small business owners can apply for low-interest loans to obtain working capital for their businesses.”    » read more »

January 28, 2009 -- Jefferson City, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today asked President Barack Obama to approve his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Missouri as a result of the severe Jan. 26-27 winter storm.

“With almost 100,000 families without power and six fatalities related to the winter storm, my primary concern is the safety of Missourians,” Gov. Nixon said. “I have asked President Obama to approve my request as quickly as possible so Missouri can secure needed federal resources to help counties protect their citizens.”    » read more »

Beshear, Conway implement price gouging statutes to protect Kentuckians

January 28, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – With nearly 400,000 Kentucky customers without power, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today said he is seeking an emergency disaster declaration from the federal government to expedite assistance to people in need across the commonwealth.

The disaster request is one of a number of steps Gov. Beshear quickly triggered today in the way of icy winter storm that has walloped much of the state, impacting nursing homes, government centers and homes and businesses from Ballard County in the west to Boyd County in the east.    » read more »

January 26, 2009 -- Oklahoma City -- With much of Oklahoma being impacted by an ice storm, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today declared a State of Emergency for all 77 counties in the state.

“Oklahomans know all too well that severe winter weather poses serious challenges to everything from roads and power lines to debris removal, and so it is important that we be prepared for the worst,” the Governor said.

The executive order marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary. Additionally, the executive order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions.    » read more »

January 26, 2009 -- Jefferson City, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed a State of Emergency Executive Order in response to the winter storm that entered Missouri on Jan. 26. The executive order activates the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which opens the State Emergency Operations Center and allows state agencies to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency protective actions.

“Many parts of Missouri have been impacted by this severe winter storm, which has caused treacherous road conditions and has the potential for causing power outages,” Gov. Nixon said. “My primary concern is the safety of Missourians and this executive order makes state agency resources available to help communities respond to the winter storms.”    » read more »

January 22, 2009 -- OLYMPIA — Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today asked President Obama to declare a federal disaster area in nine Washington counties impacted by flooding, mudslides and avalanches caused by severe weather earlier this month.

Gregoire requested federal assistance for Clark, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties. Damage surveys are continuing this week and the results are expected to add counties to the disaster declaration request.    » read more »

Disaster Designation Comes Amid Efforts By Clinton To Push USDA And Senate Leadership To Take Action And Provide Relief For New York's Farmers

August 13, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare a federal disaster area in response to the damage caused in New York’s Southern Tier by high winds and hail.    » read more »

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 »