FEMA

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working closely with states impacted from the recent severe storms and tornadoes as they assess damages. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff has spoken with the governors of Oklahoma and Missouri, and both he and FEMA Administrator David Paulison are expected to travel to impacted areas on Tuesday, May 13. State and local resources currently are addressing the most immediate needs as federal resources support their efforts.    » read more »

May 2, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has formally requested expedited federal assistance to assist the State in responding to the major disaster resulting from the record breaking flooding in Aroostook County. The letter to the President and FEMA notes that the severe rain storms, snow melt and flooding began April 28 and is continuing.

Car caught in a flood: Photo by Chris (CC)    » read more »

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command will exercise their response abilities to a variety of events during an intensive eight-day national level exercise in May. National Level Exercise 2-08 will run May 1-8 and will exercise national capabilities to prepare and respond to multiple incidents including both natural disasters and terrorist incidents.

C-130H aircraft: Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Zuccaro

The exercise will include hurricane preparedness and response and Defense Support to Civil Authorities coordination in response to a weapon of mass destruction terrorist attack.    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- JACKSON, Mississippi – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said today he will appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial of his request for federal disaster assistance in the wake of destructive tornadoes that struck the City of Jackson and Hinds County on April 4, 2008.

Tornado damage: Devastation following a 2002 tornado in Columbus, Mississippi. Photo by Anita Westervelt / FEMA    » read more »

Agency of Agriculture releases recommendation for hoop house installation at Half Pint Farm and the Intervale Center

April 15, 2008 -- Montpelier, Vt – The Agency of Agriculture released its decision to allow the construction of a hoop house at the Intervale Center and Half Pint Farm. Working collaboratively with the various partners involved including FEMA, the Intervale Center, the farmer, ANR and the city of Burlington, parameters for the construction have been established to ensure that the availability of flood insurance to residents of the city of Burlington is not jeopardized.

Hoop house: Photo by Justin Henry (CC)    » read more »

April 11, 2008 -- (JACKSON, Mississippi) — Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today requested President George W. Bush and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to declare Hinds County as a major disaster area after the county sustained large amounts of damage from the severe weather and tornado outbreak April 4.

Tornado damage: Photo by Andrew Freese (CC)    » read more »

Apr 10, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Clark, Cleburne, Jefferson, Lee, Mississippi and Phillips Counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by severe storms and heavy rains on April 3 and 4.

These six counties will be added to the previous disaster declarations of recent weeks, bringing the total number of declared counties since to 52.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teams are wrapping up their damage assessments from last week's storms and determining federal aid for affected counties and individual victims.    » read more »

April 9, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced President Bush has approved his request for Disaster Declarations for Public Assistance for 47 Missouri Counties as a result of the March flooding.

“The damage assessment teams identified over $28.5 million in damaged public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and critical facilities,” Gov. Blunt said.

A Coast Guard member assisting with Missouri flood relief: Photo by Coast Guard News (CC)    » read more »

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 9, 2008 -- Federal disaster aid programs provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are available under a presidential disaster declaration to eligible residents living in Baxter, Benton, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Randolph, Stone and Woodruff.

Arkansas River Flooding: Photo by dewonn43 / David (CC)

If you don't have access to your home or the place you rented is uninhabitable because of flooding that occurred in March and April, you may request reimbursement for temporary housing. FEMA is making every effort to locate possible rental resources in or around disaster-stricken areas.    » read more »

April 7, 2008 -- JACKSON, Mississippi - Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today declared a State of Emergency for 12 Mississippi counties following a severe weather system and tornadoes which hit parts of Central Mississippi, including the Jackson Metro area. The Governor announced the State of Emergency while touring neighborhoods in Northeast Jackson, which were among the hardest-hit areas from Friday’s storm and tornadoes.

Tornado formation in Mississippi: Photo by Fujoshi (CC)    » read more »

Apr 7, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Lonoke and Pike Counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by severe storms and heavy rains on April 3 and 4.

These two counties will be added to the previous disaster declarations of recent weeks, bringing the total number of declared counties to 46.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teams are still assessing damage from recent Arkansas storms and flooding to determine if the latest storms qualify for federal assistance for individual victims.    » read more »

Apr 7, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Arkansas, Garland, Pulaski, St. Francis and Saline Counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by severe storms and heavy rains on April 3 and 4.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has informed Arkansas that requests for federal assistance related to the latest storms can be grouped with requests already made regarding recent flooding.

Tornado damage in Little Rock, Arkansas: Photo by David Quinn (CC)    » read more »

April 04, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial relief to Kenosha, Lafayette, Racine, and Waukesha Counties to help supplement emergency response efforts to the February 5-6 winter storm that produced record snowfalls.

Snowplows at work near Beloit, Wisconsin: Photo by OldOnliner (CC)    » read more »

April 4, 2008 -- (JACKSON, Mississippi) - Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today declared a State of Emergency for 33 Mississippi counties in anticipation of flooding of the Mississippi River, Yazoo River, and tributaries caused by rising waters due to rainfall in the upper Mississippi River Basin and Ohio River Basin.

Flooding on the Mississippi River: Photo by wcm1111 (CC)    » read more »