Disaster recovery

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 Arkansas.

"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 »

Governor Haley Barbour said today an additional $60 million has been awarded for Hurricane Katrina recovery projects in Hancock County.

January 29, 2009 -- The projects compose the second round of funding in the total $200 million 'Ground Zero' Program, which applies specifically in Hancock County, where some of Hurricane Katrina's most serious damage occurred. A total of $145 million in Ground Zero funding has been designated for Hancock County projects so far.    » read more »

FEMA Urges Landlords To Register Rental Property

January 22, 2009 -- BILOXI, Miss. -- Federal officials have stepped up efforts to help Mississippi families continue their recovery and transition to permanent housing following Hurricane Katrina. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Housing Resource department has identified 5,684 available rental resources on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Landlords with available property are encouraged to contact FEMA so additional units can be listed. There are three phone numbers available to call: (228) 594-3507, (228) 594-2996 or toll-free (866) 877-6075, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also leave a message during non-working hours and a FEMA representative will respond.    » read more »

85 Iowa counties covered by Presidential Disaster Declaration

August 13, 2008 -- (DES MOINES) – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver received word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that seven additional Iowa counties – Adair, Audubon, Cass, Grundy, Guthrie, Henry and Winnebago – were granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance, and Cherokee County was granted Public Assistance.

Governor Culver said, “As we move forward with our statewide rebuilding efforts, assessments will continue to be made to better identify the total damages in the state, and the resources available to citizens in their time of need. In the aftermath of our severe weather, these additional declarations are an essential part of helping all Iowans recover.”    » read more »

August, 2008 -- CHICAGO – To help injured disaster survivors that may be at risk for infection from blood-borne viruses or tetanus in the environment, new vaccine recommendations were released today in the latest issue of the American Medical Association (AMA) Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal. The recommendations are co-published with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).    » read more »

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 3, 2008 -- The long Fourth of July weekend offers an excellent opportunity to take a break from the stress and intense emotions caused by the recent storms, tornadoes and floods.

Everyone is affected by a disaster, even if they don't suffer direct losses. Emotions such as grief, sadness, shock, anger, helplessness and hopelessness are natural. Experts say it is important to talk about those emotions.

Stress caused by loss or traumatic experience can sneak up on people, too. It may not be recognized for weeks or months after the experience.

Here are warning signs of stress to be aware of:

* Trouble concentrating or remembering things;
* Difficulty making decisions;    » read more »

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 »

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2008 -- Regardless of where they live, Wisconsin residents with storm damage who have applied for federal disaster assistance may visit any Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) now have seven DRCs open in storm-damaged southern Wisconsin counties (see attached listing) and will open more in the near future.    » read more »

Focus Turns To Recovery In Some Areas In The Midwest

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Preparedness activities by federal, state and local authorities are focusing on the areas between Quad Cities and St. Louis, Mo., with concerns high for Quincy, Ill., where flooding is expected to equal levels reached by the 1993 Midwest Flood. Planning is underway for potential major operations involving debris removal, hazardous materials cleanup, health and medical support, long-term transportation closures and housing.    » read more »

Iowa Delegation joins Harkin in urging Bush to grant 60-day waiver for state matching funds for emergency protective measures and debris removal

June 17, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) was joined by Iowa’s Congressional Delegation in urging the President to waive for 60 days the percentage of matching funds the state must contribute to qualify for federal disaster assistance concerning emergency protective measures and debris removal. The current White House took similar action to aid Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina to lower the in-kind matching requirement for the period immediately following the hurricane.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- THE PRESIDENT: I've just assembled my -- many people on my domestic policy team to discuss the current flooding in the Midwest. Of course, our hearts and thoughts go to those who lost life. And of course, we're concerned about those whose -- who lost their homes or lost their businesses.

George W. Bush offers media a photo opportunity on Midwest flood relief: White House photo

I've been briefed by Secretary Chertoff and Secretary Schafer and Director Paulison about the response. First task at hand is to deal with the flood waters, to anticipate where the flooding may next occur, and to work with the state and local authorities to deal with the response.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- Following the recent storms that devastated several Kansas communities, storm survivors may be missing important personal information or account information. While many survivors are busy cleaning up, it is important that they move quickly to protect themselves from identity theft.

Members of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division visited Chapman and Manhattan today to provide the following information to storm survivors.

If a storm survivor is missing important personal information like credit or debit cards, Social Security Cards, or passports, they need to contact the appropriate agency to prevent identity theft.

Tips to protect storm survivors from identity theft:    » read more »

June 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.- Late last night, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) sent a letter to the President in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for direct federal assistance to help Illinois communities to respond to and recover from flooding.    » read more »

Lansing, Saginaw; Allegan, Eaton, Mason counties affected

June 16, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued an executive order activating the Michigan National Guard to assist jurisdictions operating under a state of emergency because of storms that swept the state earlier this month. The jurisdictions include the cities of Lansing and Saginaw and the counties of Allegan, Eaton and Mason.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- Kansas Attorney General Steve Six today warned Kansans to be wary as they begin the clean-up and rebuilding process following the recent severe weather that damaged Kansas communities.

"The rebuilding efforts following the recent storms demonstrate the courage and strength of Kansans," Six said. "Still, some unscrupulous individuals may see our tragedy as an opportunity to scam or con Kansas consumers."

Six encourages everyone in storm ravaged areas to be aware that some businesses may come to Kansas with the intention to help themselves, not our communities.    » read more »