Disaster declarations

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 »

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 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 »

May 14, 2008 -- Oklahoma City — The White House today approved Oklahoma’s request for federal disaster assistance in the Ottawa County tornado, according to Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry.

“We got the word from the White House late this afternoon,” said the governor. “We appreciate the quick response from Pres. Bush and his team. The people of Picher and the other affected communities need all the help they can get, and this is a critical first step.

“We will continue to work with our federal partners to obtain all possible assistance, including expedited aid in the Picher buyout process.”

An EF-4 tornado struck several Ottawa County communities Saturday evening, destroying more than 100 homes and causing several fatalities in the town of Picher alone.    » read more »

Meets With Local Emergency Response Officials And Tours Tornado Damage In Onslow County

5/14/2008 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) requesting a disaster declaration for residents in Bertie County who suffered damage from the tornado that hit on Sunday. The declaration makes residents and business owners in Bertie County eligible for low-interest loans to assist with repairs. Easley also met today with local emergency response officials and conducted an aerial tour of tornado damage in Onslow County.    » read more »

5/13/2008 -- Raleigh - RALEIGH – North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today met with local emergency response officials and conducted an aerial tour of tornado damage in Bertie County that occurred Sunday evening. Today he also sent teams of Small Business Administration officials to Bertie County to determine if the county is eligible for an SBA disaster declaration. If the county is eligible, uninsured residents whose homes were destroyed or received major damage would be eligible for low interest loans to use for home repair.    » read more »

Request follows Trigo Fire damage assessment by team of federal, state, and local officials

May 13, 2008 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today formally requested a disaster declaration from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Torrance County as a result of severe damage caused by the Trigo Fire.

Trigo wildfire, New Mexico: Photo by Kit_Z (CC)

An SBA declaration of disaster would give residents who lost homes, businesses, or property in the fire the opportunity to apply for low interest loans with flexible repayment terms.    » read more »

Requests Public Assistance for Additional Areas

May 13, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci on Friday sent an additional request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking public assistance covering Aroostook, Knox, Lincoln, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo Counties.

On Friday, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for Aroostook County as a result of the record flooding that struck the County two weeks ago.

FEMA and the State have conducted preliminary damage assessments to roads and other public infrastructure in several Maine counties including Aroostook. As a result of these assessments, the Governor is pursuing additional assistance that may be made available for local governments.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Arkansas and Phillips Counties state disaster areas due to the damage caused by tornadoes and thunderstorms on Saturday, May 10. The declarations are the latest in a long season of severe weather.

Tornado devastation in Arkansas: Photo by Debra (CC)

Beebe declared 11 counties disaster areas after the May 2 tornadoes, 60 counties after the floods and tornadoes of March and April and 13 counties following the record-setting tornado outbreak of February 5.    » read more »

May 2, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has formally requested expedited federal assistance to assist the State in responding to the major disaster resulting from the record breaking flooding in Aroostook County. The letter to the President and FEMA notes that the severe rain storms, snow melt and flooding began April 28 and is continuing.

Car caught in a flood: Photo by Chris (CC)    » read more »

May 2, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has declared Benton, Cleburne, Conway, Grant, Pulaski, Saline and Van Buren Counties state disaster areas due to the damage caused by powerful tornadoes and violent thunderstorms on Friday, May 2. More counties will be added to this list as preliminary damage assessments are done in other counties.

Lightning strikes in Arkansas: Photo by Melissa Jones (CC)    » read more »

April 28, 2008 - Des Moines -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver has declared Bremer, Blackhawk and Louisa Counties as disaster areas following heavy rains, which have pushed rivers and streams over their banks. This action allowed state assets to help move pumps and sandbags provided by the Army Corps of Engineers to aid local responses.    » read more »

April 11, 2008 -- (JACKSON, Mississippi) — Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today requested President George W. Bush and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to declare Hinds County as a major disaster area after the county sustained large amounts of damage from the severe weather and tornado outbreak April 4.

Tornado damage: Photo by Andrew Freese (CC)    » read more »

Apr 13, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Chicot, Hempstead, Little River, Nevada, Poinsett, and Sebastian Counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by the latest round of severe storms and heavy rains.

These six counties will be added to the previous disaster declarations of recent weeks, bringing the total number of declared counties to 58 since March 19.

Flooding on the Arkansas River: Photo by dewonn43 (CC)    » read more »