Floods

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 »

April 29, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci this evening has declared a State of Emergency for Aroostook County.

Severe storms, combined with snow on the ground, have created dangerous flooding conditions in Aroostook County, and particularly in the Fort Kent and Wallagrass areas.

“The National Weather Service is predicting that parts of Aroostook County could be hit by record flooding,” Governor Baldacci said. “The Maine Emergency Management Agency and my office are monitoring the situation and working closely with local emergency management officials to protect public safety.”    » read more »

April 28, 2008 - Des Moines -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver has declared Bremer, Blackhawk and Louisa Counties as disaster areas following heavy rains, which have pushed rivers and streams over their banks. This action allowed state assets to help move pumps and sandbags provided by the Army Corps of Engineers to aid local responses.    » 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 »

Apr 13, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Chicot, Hempstead, Little River, Nevada, Poinsett, and Sebastian Counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by the latest round of severe storms and heavy rains.

These six counties will be added to the previous disaster declarations of recent weeks, bringing the total number of declared counties to 58 since March 19.

Flooding on the Arkansas River: Photo by dewonn43 (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Airmen from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., recently provided satellite imagery to assist state and federal agencies in relief efforts following flooding in Missouri and Arkansas.

Members of the 169th Communications Flight at McEntire Joint National Guard Base collected imagery using Eagle Vision, a mobile commercial imagery direct downlink system, to use in damage assessment and reconstruction in the two states.    » read more »

8:30 a.m. - Situation Update 2

04-10-2008 -- A powerful storm system is beginning to exit the state. In the wake of yesterday's storms there will be strong winds across the state today with an isolated chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will be much cooler into the weekend with a chance of freezing temperatures across the northern half of the state Saturday morning.

Oklahoma tornado drill postponed due to severe weather: Photo by woodley wonderworks (CC)

Injuries and Fatalities

Injuries were reported in Muldrow following the storm that moved through the area Wednesday night.    » read more »

Water Patrol Helps Rescue Trapped Drivers in Southern Missouri

April 10, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and the Department of Public Safety today urged drivers to be extra cautious and avoid flooded roads. The governor and public safety officials are also offering tips to help keep Missouri motorists safe.

A car washed away during a flood: Photo by Rick Keir (CC)

Gov. Blunt also commended the Missouri Water Patrol who assisted local authorities in rescuing trapped drivers on the Big Piney River this morning.    » 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 »

Federal Disaster Funds Requested in Wake of Severe Flooding

April 9, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today asked President Bush to declare fifteen southern Illinois counties federal disaster areas after severe flooding hit the area late last month.

Road closed after winter flooding, Illinois: Photo by tlindenbaum (CC)    » 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 »

April 8, 2008 - Brazilian civil defense officials report that at least 21 people have died and 82,000 have been driven from their homes by floods and mudslides in the country's northeast.

The Brazilian government is releasing more than $300 million in emergency aid for the states affected by the flooding.

Scene of a 2005 flood in Brazil: Photo by Shelly "Nikki" Montes (CC)

Governors of the affected states met with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia on Monday to request aid.

Officials say 17 of the dead drowned in the state of Paraiba, where 14,000 have become homeless.

Source: VOA News

April 8, 2008 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to request assistance for those farmers in the Morganza Spillway whose crops have been affected by recent rising water levels. The letter is included below:

Morganza Louisiana sandbag: National Guard heavy equipment fills large sandbags to prevent Mississippi River floodwaters from flooding cropland near Morganza. Photo courtesy Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture.

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th & Independence Ave, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Schafer:    » 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 »

April 2, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt tonight urged Missourians who were impacted by flooding last week to be prepared as more flooding is expected.

“The National Weather Service indicates several more inches of rain will fall across the state impacting areas impacted by the recent flooding,” Gov. Blunt said.

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