Disaster recovery

Senator Clinton Requested FEMA Assistance Following Storms Last Year

February 1, 2008 -- Washington, DC — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today welcomed the announcement of four grants totaling $7,972,123.50 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help repair damage to Long Island’s dunes and beaches caused by the April 2007 storm. Senator Clinton requested federal assistance when she visited storm ravaged parts of New York last April.    » read more »

Senate Bill Would Mandate HUD Replace All Low Income Housing Scheduled To Be Demolished

January 25, 2008 -- "Like so many Americans, we have followed with grave concern the devastation to Louisiana, Mississippi Alabama, and Texas in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.    » read more »

Jan 23, 2008 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed an executive order to maximize the efficiency of Louisiana’s coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts by requiring all state agencies to comply with the Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast which lays out coastal and hurricane protection priorities as recognized by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, including the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Governor’s Office of Coastal Affairs.    » read more »

January 22, 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan. The NRF, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The NRF is responsive to repeated Federal, State, local and private sector requests for a streamlined document that is less bureaucratic and more user-friendly.    » read more »

January 14, 2008, SALEM, Ore. -- The severe storms, wind, mudslides, landslides and flooding that swept through Oregon Dec. 1-17, 2007, left a path of destruction. Oregonians will long remember the swirling floodwaters, damaged homes and tangled debris left in the wake of the storms.    » read more »

Governor Pawlenty statement in reaction to information released today by the National Transportation Safety Board

January 15, 2008 -- Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty in reaction to information released today by the National Transportation Safety Board.

“Although the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation has not been completed, today we learned the I-35W Bridge had a serious original design flaw that existed from the time the bridge was built in the 1960s.    » read more »

January 14, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire urged Washingtonians to continue to contribute cash and resources to victims of December’s flooding and windstorms.

“Businesses and individuals in Southwest Washington are still struggling to recover from the catastrophic damage the storms caused,” Gregoire said. “I urge our corporations and residents to open their pocketbooks for them. Neighbors need to be helping neighbors at times like this.”    » read more »

January 10, 2008 -- Jefferson City, Mo. — As residents in the Ozarks begin the recovery process from this week’s tornadoes and storms, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon says to watch out for scams. Nixon says thieves known as “storm chasers” target hard-hit areas claiming to offer home-repair services. He says storm chasers often go door-to-door, offering quick services for consumers who may be in urgent need of repairs, whether it’s a new roof, windows, siding or other work.    » read more »

January 10, 2008 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter encourages Hoosiers in North Central Indiana to be on guard against unscrupulous contractors following the recent flooding in the area. Con artists may come out of the woodwork to prey on those who have seen damage to their homes by offering assistance at outrageous prices or taking money and failing to complete the work.    » read more »

If Approved, Additional Counties Will Be Requested

January 09, 2008 -- Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has asked federal authorities to provide individual assistance to Oklahomans impacted by December’s catastrophic ice storm. While the initial request is for Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, more counties will be added to the request if individual assistance is approved.

"Many Oklahomans across the state are still suffering from the aftermath of the ice storm that left more than 640,000 homes and businesses without power, many for more than a week," the Governor said.    » read more »

January 8, 2008 -- Reno, NV – U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada issued the following statement after receiving a personal phone call from the Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, promising that the people of Fernley will get everything they need.    » read more »

December 27, 2007 -- Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush’s major disaster declaration issued for Missouri.

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

20 December 2007 -- The deadly rampage in April on the campus of Virginia Tech left 32 people, and the gunman, dead. Among the victims was freshman Austin Cloyd, who was an active volunteer with the poor. As Faiza Elmasry tells us, this fall, Austin's parents have involved other Virginia Tech students in the volunteer program to carry on their daughter's legacy.    » read more »

12-19-2007 -- The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) today made it easier to report uninsured property damage caused by last week's Ice Storm. Individuals and business owners may now report their damage via the OEM Web site.

Just go to www.oem.ok.gov and click on the Oklahoma Ice Storm Damage Assessment Online Form link. Complete the form and a report will be submitted.    » read more »

Despite urgent housing needs, Bush Administration intends to drastically reduce federal housing in New Orleans

December 18, 2007 -- WASHINGON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent the following letter to President Bush, calling on him to abandon his Administration’s intentions to demolish federally-assisted housing in New Orleans, Louisiana until there is a comprehensive plan to meet the Gulf Coast region’s extensive affordable housing needs.    » read more »