Emergency declarations

March 6, 2009 -- DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Tuscola Fire following a request for a fire management assistance declaration from the State of Texas on Thursday.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 350 homes in and around the communities of Tuscola and Potosi, in Taylor County. The fire threatened buildings, infrastructure, and utilities in the area. Voluntary evacuations were issued for twenty people, two homes burned, and US highways 83 and 84 were closed due to the fire. The fire started on Thursday and had burned in excess of 150 acres of private land.    » read more »

March 6, 2009 -- DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Taloga Fire following a request for a fire management assistance declaration from the State of Oklahoma on Thursday.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 372 homes in and around the community of Taloga, in Dewey County. The fire threatened buildings, roads and bridges, infrastructure, utilities, recreation, equipment, fishing streams and spawning sites, and wildlife in the area. Voluntary evacuations were issued for over 200 people. The fire started on Thursday, and had burned in excess of 20,000 acres of State and private land.    » read more »

Authorizes state agencies to respond to winter storm

March 02, 2009 -- RICHMOND — Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency today, authorizing state agencies to respond if local governments need assistance in the wake of the winter storm that began Sunday, March 1.

"This is the most widespread winter weather event to affect Virginia in eight years," Governor Kaine said. "So far our counties, cities and towns are coping very well with all the snow, wind and power outages. We want to be able to move quickly if additional help is needed to protect the health and safety of our citizens."

In declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorizes state agencies to identify and reposition resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia.    » read more »

Proclaims State of Emergency, Directs Government to Utilize Resources, Help People

02/27/2009 -- To combat California’s third consecutive year of drought, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency and ordered immediate action to manage the crisis. In the proclamation, the Governor uses his authority to direct all state government agencies to utilize their resources, implement a state emergency plan and provide assistance for people, communities and businesses impacted by the drought.    » read more »

February 23, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has issued an Emergency Declaration extending the hours of service for power crews to help restore electricity.

The Emergency Declaration was issued at 9 a.m. today to expedite power restoration for the households and businesses in the State currently without electricity.

Governor Baldacci participated in several calls yesterday and this morning and has been fully briefed on the winter storm. He remains in close contact with officials at the Maine Emergency Management Agency.    » read more »

February 11, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — In the wake of deadly tornadoes Tuesday that swept through sections of the state, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has declared a state of emergency for 17 Oklahoma counties.

A tornado in the Carter County town of Lone Grove killed eight people and injured dozens more. Twisters caused extensive damage in several Oklahoma communities, including Edmond, Oklahoma City, Pawnee, Wilson and Springer.

The counties included in the declaration are: Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Garvin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Murray, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Nowata, Osage and Washington. More counties can be added if conditions warrant.

Gov. Henry said state officials are poised to provide all eligible assistance.    » read more »

January 29th, 2009 -- Last night, President Obama declared federal emergencies caused by winter storms in two states, answering requests for aid from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.

President Barack Obama signs an Emergency Declaration for the State of Arkansas Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, 2008 in the Oval Of: (White House photo by Pete Souza)

ARKANSAS

The President declared an emergency exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm beginning on January 26, 2009, and continuing.    » read more »

January 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that Federal emergency aid has been made available for the Commonwealth of Kentucky to help supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm during the period January 27, 2009, and continuing.    » read more »

Declaration enables state resources to be mobilized against winter storm

January 27, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today declared an emergency in Kentucky because of a powerful winter storm. The declaration enables state resources to be mobilized to assist cities and counties in coping with power outages and other damage wrought by ice and snow.

“When winter weather hits, it is crucial that our citizens know that their state government is doing everything possible to ensure their safety and well-being,” the governor said in a news conference. “We are prepared to use every available resource to help Kentuckians make it through these rough conditions, whatever may come.”    » read more »

State Inclement Weather Policy to remain in effect Wednesday

Jan 27, 2009 --
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has declared a state of emergency to speed the response of state agencies to the ice storm continuing to have an impact on Arkansas. The declaration allows state agencies to more easily coordinate with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

Beebe has also signed an emergency proclamation to assist in the movement of utility trucks to areas affected by the storm.    » read more »

August 21, 2008 -- The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Fay beginning on August 18, 2008, and continuing.    » read more »

August 6, 2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today declared a state of emergency in Humboldt County as a result of the numerous wildfires that have led to unprecedented smoke conditions and unhealthy air quality. The proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the state's authority under the California Disaster Assistance Act.

To date, the Governor has declared a state of emergency in the following 13 counties due to wildfires: Butte, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta and Trinity.

Full text of the proclamation:

A PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS over 2,000 wildfires have erupted in California since May 22, 2008; and    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Jim Nussle, asking his support for the inclusion of emergency funds in the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill to ensure critical relief is provided to the areas affected by the recent storms and subsequent flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.    » 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 »

Widespread Flooding Throughout Wisconsin Causes Road Closures and Evacuations

June 09, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle tonight declared a state of emergency for 29 counties due to severe storms and flooding.

Flooding in Milwaukee area, Wisconsin, June 2008: Photo by Tracy Apps (CC)

The counties include: Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Lafayette, LaCrosse, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties.    » read more »