Floods

June 22, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After extensive flooding in southern West Virginia in 2001, 2002 and 2004 left many West Virginians without safe and adequate housing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) brought in temporary housing units until homes could be repaired or rebuilt.

Each time the portable housing units were brought in, FEMA also had to find suitable locations on which to place them. Finding or building a temporary housing location that is out of harm’s way and that has public utilities and access can take two to three months. That can seem like a long wait for a family that is without their home, said Larry Puccio, chief of staff for Gov. Joe Manchin and the governor’s designee on the West Virginia Housing Development Fund’s board of directors.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - After an appeal by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance to individuals has been made available to residents of Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery counties affected by recent flooding.

The announcement is a reversal of FEMA’s original decision denying Alabama’s request for assistance for individuals, and was announced just hours after an appeal was filed by Governor Riley on Friday, June 19.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Bruce Braley announced today that more than $8.5 million in federal and state funds have been identified and are in final approval for disaster recovery efforts around the state. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“I am proud to announce this new funding for the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District,” said Governor Culver. “This is one more sign that Iowa’s rebuilding efforts are continuing one year after the devastating floods and storms of 2008. Our work is far from finished, and I look forward to working with all Iowans as we build a stronger, safer, smarter Iowa.”    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe received word Tuesday evening that President Obama has granted his request for a major disaster declaration to help Arkansas counties recovering from flooding rains and storms in May.

The federal declaration covers all 37 counties requested by Governor Beebe two weeks ago: Arkansas, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Cleveland, Conway, Dallas, Drew, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Lincoln, Little River, Marion, Miller, Monroe, Nevada, Ouachita, Perry, Phillips, Pike, Poinsett, Polk, Prairie, St. Francis, Saline, Searcy, Stone, and Union Counties.    » read more »

Harkin Announces Nearly $13.5 Million In FEMA Flood Recovery Funds For Benton, Louisa, Des Moines Counties And Cedar Rapids

June 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Benton, Des Moines Counties, and the City of Cedar Rapids a total of $13,341,245.73 in federal grants to reimburse expenses caused by this past summer’s flooding. Today’s announcement is another step in the continuing process of rebuilding in the state.    » read more »

Lake Delton Receiving More Than $300,000 to Rebuild Dam, Protect Against Future Floods

June 09, 2009 -- LAKE DELTON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 34 communities would share $39,220,410 in federal supplemental funds under the Community Development Block Grant Program. These funds will help the communities recover from damage sustained during the 2008 floods.

“Wisconsin’s people, communities, and businesses reacted to the natural disasters last summer with spirit, hard work, and generosity,” Governor Doyle said. “Securing this additional federal funding will help families and businesses continue to recover from the worst flooding in our state’s history.”    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that more than $10 million in federal and state funds have been identified and are in final approval for disaster recovery efforts around the state. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“No one will ever forget the devastation caused by the floods of 2008 in these three counties,” said Governor Culver. “But rebuilding continues, and one by one, communities are returning to normal. I appreciate the help of our federal partners, and I am proud to join with Congressman Loebsack in our common efforts at helping people who remain in need.”    » read more »

June 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to create jobs, restore habitats, and mitigate flooding along the Pawtuxet, Pocasset, and Meshanticut Rivers, Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation today announced that the state will receive over $2.3 million through the federal Recovery Act for flood protection projects in Cranston and West Warwick. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Rhode Island will receive over $1.95 million to purchase easements and conduct restoration at 4 sites and approximately $400,000 to design, engineer, and obtain permitting for these projects.    » read more »

After months of working on the issue with the administration and Louisiana delegation, projects will go forward.

06/02/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Disaster Recovery Subcommittee, today announced major progress for Louisiana hurricane recovery projects located in designated High Velocity Flood Zones.    » read more »

Builds on USDA Efforts to Create Jobs, Help Rural Communities and Conserve Natural Resources

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., June 2, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today selected 289 applications for the first national sign-up for floodplain easements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The easements will cover more the 36,000 acres of land in 36 states.    » read more »

USDA to Provide $3.3 million for Honey Creek Watershed Project, $8.1 million for Additional Indiana Floodplain Projects through Recovery Act

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., June 2, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will provide nearly $3.3 million for the Honey Creek Watershed Project in Terra Haute, Ind., and more than $8.1 million in floodplain easements in Indiana through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.    » read more »

06/02/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today announced that two Louisiana floodplain easement applications have been selected for funding under the Recovery Act of 2009. The easements will cover 710 acres in Tensas Parish and 341 acres in Richland Parish. As a result of this $1,798,528 investment, about 300,000 hardwood trees will be planted. These trees will reduce the loss of future commodity crops by removing the land from crop production, and will help restore the habitat of the threatened Louisiana black bear.    » read more »

Federal assistance helps convert flood lands

6/2/09 -- WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that $19.7 million will be directed to Wisconsin under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funding will help restore 4,040 acres of Wisconsin floodplains to their natural state.

“These funds will improve habitat, water quality, flood prevention and conservation,” Kohl said. “That our state had so many successful applications is a testament to Wisconsin landowners and our conservation professionals. This is a significant boost to sustainability in Wisconsin.”    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today applauded Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $755,000 in funding for the Bear Creek Watershed Project in Winneshiek County. The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Recovery Act, and will help to provide the financial and technical assistance necessary to construct flood control dams in the area.

Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry as well as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and helped to secure these funds in the final version of the Recovery Act.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $5,946,931 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for floodplain easement in Illinois. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s floodplain easement program allows for the acquisition of private, local government or state owned lands that have been damaged by flooding at least once in the last 12 months or twice in the past 10 years. Once the easements have been established, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will fund conservation work necessary to restore the land to its natural state.    » read more »