Disaster recovery

December 18, 2007 -- "To better distinguish between the responsibilities at all levels, we have instituted a Transparency Initiative that will identify the location of federal infrastructure funds and make this information available in a clear and understandable way to the general public. This is a great tool that will further accelerate rebuilding. The first phase of this initiative will focus on mapping public schools in New Orleans so parents, teachers and local leaders will know the status of individual schools in their community." - Donald E.    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge and Attorney General Tom Miller urged Iowans who have been affected by last week’s ice storms to use caution when selecting a contractor to help repair damages. The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) has received reports that some vendors are going door-to-door offering services or goods to help residents recover from the severe winter storm of last weekend while promising government reimbursement. Vendors are also approaching county and city governments with the same type of promises.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced that state and local agencies are providing extra nursing staff to three special needs shelters in Northwest Missouri. When the call came in requesting additional help from St. Joseph, Maryville and Savannah, Gov. Blunt and state agencies responded quickly to coordinate additional medical staff to serve these communities.    » read more »

12/13/2007 -- In the wake of our state’s winter storms, Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson today warned consumers to be wary of the possibility for clean-up-related-scams.

“People are anxious to clean up their yards and begin the process of putting their homes and their lives back in order,” Edmondson said. “Unfortunately, there are people who will take advantage of the desperation of others. I just want to encourage Oklahomans to take steps to protect themselves and their wallets from further victimization.”    » read more »

December 12, 2007, Washington, D.C. -- Federal assistance continues to speed into the Midwest states affected by the recent ice storms in order to assist state and local governments respond to communities impacted by widespread power outages and icy conditions.    » read more »

December 11, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced he has mobilized 50 National Guardsmen and women to Northwest Missouri to assist Missourians impacted by the severe winter storms. Gov. Blunt made the announcement during a tour of warming shelters in Cole County.    » read more »

December 06, 2007 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna today cautioned Washington residents to beware of possible flood-related scams including fraudulent home repair offers and charity appeals.

“As the flood waters recede, scam artists may move into the area to prey on both victims and those who want to help them,” McKenna said. “Watch out for questionable contractors, phony charity pitches and cons posing as government officials.”

Offers to help with repairs and cleanup    » read more »

November 20, 2007 -- New Orleans, LA. -- Donald E. Powell, the president’s top official for Gulf Coast rebuilding, today toured a newly built affordable housing unit with members of the Harvard University Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Fellowship in Social Entrepreneurship.

Powell addressed more than 25 fellows after touring the private residence at 4012 Hollygrove Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. He emphasized the importance of critical partnerships between government and private entities in rebuilding of the Gulf Coast.    » read more »

21 November 2007 -- Aid continues to pour into Bangladesh, as relief workers struggle to reach survivors of last week's cyclone who now face the threat of disease and starvation.

Government officials said Wednesday they have reached the last remaining pockets of the country devastated by Cyclone Sidr, which killed over 3,500 people and impacted nearly 4 million others.

The military is flying helicopters and cargo planes to deliver badly needed food, medicine, tents and clean water to survivors who have received little or no supplies in nearly six days.    » read more »

Nov 20, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards released the following statement:

"It saddens me to hear that the Commission on Presidential Debates rejected New Orleans' bid to host a debate in 2008 citing evidence that the city has not recovered enough to host the event. I strongly believe this decision was a mistake and I urge the Commission on Presidential Debates to rethink their decision.    » read more »

November 16, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that more than 600 Southern Tier property owners who suffered catastrophic property damage during the 2006 floods are receiving property tax relief totaling more than $1 million.

As a result of the floods in the early summer of 2006, a federal disaster was declared for twenty counties. Thousands of New Yorkers saw their homes and businesses damaged and destroyed, significantly reducing property values.    » read more »

FEMA Response to GAO Report on Maintenance and Deactivation of Housing Contracts in Response to Hurricane Katrina And Hurricane Rita

November 15, 2007 -- FEMA response to the Government Accounting Office (GAO) Report on "Maintenance And Deactivation Of Housing Contracts In Response To Hurricane Katrina And Hurricane Rita":

"The GAO report does not reveal new issues from the Katrina response. We are aware of and have drawn lessons learned from these issues. This is another look backwards that tries to project the mistakes made in Katrina onto the FEMA of today. We reject that effort.    » read more »

PASADENA, Calif. -- Californians who suffered damages and losses as a result of the wildfires, and still have disaster-related unmet needs, may find help through long-term recovery committees.

Under the guidance of the Southern California Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, long-term recovery committees are being formed in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. These committees provide services, based on need, through their voluntary member organizations to help affected families access the resources needed for their recovery.    » read more »

Nov. 13, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued the following statement today while in Washington to thank Congress for its support of the Road Home program. Last week, Congress passed legislation providing $3 billion to Louisiana's recovery housing program. That legislation was signed by President Bush this morning.    » read more »

November 8, 2007 -- ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA— Republican presidential candidate and 10-term Texas Congressman Ron Paul voted Tuesday to uphold President Bush’s veto on the controversial water projects measure that authorizes over 900 projects that could cost $38 billion to complete. The measure, attached to a $215 billion spending bill, was condemned by Congressman Paul and many other House Republicans as an exercise in government waste and unsustainable deficit spending.    » read more »