Disaster recovery

USDA Highlights Preparations for Regions Affected by Flooding

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today discussed how the USDA is preparing to assist regions affected by flooding. USDA is prepared to provide personnel and resources to help save lives and support recovery operations in areas devastated by flooding.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who will be impacted by flooding in the Nation's heartland," said Vilsack. "We are working tirelessly to identify and send all of the resources we can offer to those who are in need and will expedite delivery of these services however we can."

The USDA is mobilizing the following resources:    » read more »

March 11, 2009 -- HOLYOKE, MA. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now obligated in excess of $5 million to reimburse seven Massachusetts counties for the eligible costs associated with their response to the December 11, 2008 ice storm.

More than 277 Massachusetts communities and eligible private-non-profits in the seven declared counties, as well as several state agencies, have applied for federal assistance through FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program. These entities applied for aid to offset the costs of eligible resources associated with the state and local response during the incident period which lasted from December 11 through December 18, 2008.    » read more »

March 11, 2009 -- AUSTIN, Texas -- Thursday and Friday are big days for many Galvestonians displaced from their homes as a result of Hurricane Ike. On Thursday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of Texas will open a temporary community site for mobile homes in the city of Galveston. Another community site will open Friday in Galveston County on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The new 9-acre community site opening Thursday at Schreiber Field in the city of Galveston holds 54 mobile homes for Texas individuals and families, and one administration building that will be used by on-site management and security. The second park, in High Island on the Bolivar Peninsula, is 9 ½ acres and designed for 50 Texas households.    » read more »

March 06, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry said today he is extremely pleased that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to fight the Taloga fire.

“Firefighters and other first-responders have done an incredible job battling the Taloga wildfire, and I am thankful that FEMA moved swiftly to provide federal assistance for their efforts,” Gov. Henry said. “Nearly the entire town of Taloga was evacuated at the height of the fire. This aid will go a long way toward helping the agencies involved in battling the blaze.”

The Governor said state emergency management officials are monitoring conditions throughout Oklahoma that have the potential for the spread of significant wildfires.    » read more »

Fugate Will Appear With DHS Secretary Napolitano Tomorrow in New Orleans

March 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Craig Fugate to be his FEMA Administrator.

On the nomination of Craig Fugate, President Obama said, "From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida’s Emergency Manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA. I’m confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.    » read more »

Housing Tax Credits Aid Counties Impacted By Natural Disasters Of 2008

February 27, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced today that the state of Iowa will award more than $51 million in Housing Tax Credits to finance the construction of new affordable housing in Waukee, Ames and Keokuk. The awards were made with a special allocation of Housing Tax Credits that the state of Iowa received to assist counties impacted by last year’s historic storms and floods.    » read more »

Brings funded Ground Zero projects to almost $155 million awarded since December

February 26, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour announced today that an additional $11.5 million has been awarded for Hurricane Katrina recovery projects in Hancock County.

The projects are part of the third round of the $200 million ‘Ground Zero’ Program, which applies specifically in Hancock County, where some of Hurricane Katrina’s most serious damage occurred.    » read more »

February 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the details of a new six-month transition rental assistance program for families currently enrolled in the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP-Katrina/Rita). HUD and FEMA will provide the additional assistance to families as needed until August 31 to give them more time to transition out of the DHAP program, either to self-sufficiency or other federal or state housing programs, including HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.    » read more »

February 20, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Bruce Braley today announced that more than $5.1 million in federal and state funds has been identified and is in final approval for two conservation related recovery projects in Iowa. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“Repairing our infrastructure after last years natural disasters means more than just roads and bridges. We must rebuild every facet of our state’s infrastructure, such as our conservation trails and bridges. These are essential to our state’s full recovery,” Governor Culver noted. “I will continue to work with federal partners to ensure Iowans are aided in all aspects of the recovery effort,” Culver stressed.    » 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 »

February 11, 2009 -- (Oklahoma City) -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today said federal authorities in Washington, D.C., have pledged any and all assistance in responding to the deadly tornado that last night struck the community of Lone Grove in southern Oklahoma.

This morning, the governor spoke by telephone to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

“Secretary Napolitano pledged to deliver any and all assistance as Oklahoma responds to and recovers from the deadly storms that shook our state last night,” said Gov. Henry. “I appreciate the swift response from the federal government. We are doing everything we can to help people impacted by yesterday’s tornados.”    » read more »

Use of Generators, Kerosene Heaters and Grills Still Pose Dangers for Those Without Power

February 10, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, KY -- Preliminary results from a survey of more than 500 households in 10 Western Kentucky counties over the weekend indicate serious safety concerns remain for those still without power, health officials announced today.

The most striking preliminary finding indicates that many Kentuckians in these areas are at continued risk for carbon monoxide poisoning due to the improper use of generators, kerosene heaters and grills. The biggest problem observed involved generators being used in enclosed areas or too close to the home.

Findings also indicated that carbon monoxide detectors are playing a key role in saving lives.    » read more »

Builds upon $1.5 billion already secured for disaster recovery efforts

February 2, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver continued his work of helping communities recover from the disasters of 2008 by signing the Rebuild Iowa Bill into law. The $56 million included in this legislation will be added to the nearly $1.5 billion in state and federal funds secured for Iowa’s disaster recovery efforts. In addition, Governor Culver signed Senate File 44, which will allow communities affected by last summer’s storms the option of raising additional funds for disaster relief.    » read more »

January 29, 2009 -- Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's emergency declaration issued for Kentucky.

"Emergency" is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

* FEMA will direct other federal agencies and provide 75 percent federal funding for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, limited to this direct federal assistance.    » read more »