Floods

May 20, 2008 -- The President (George W. Bush) today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes beginning on May 2, 2008, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Benton, Cleburne, Conway, Crittenden, Grant, Lonoke, Mississippi, Pulaski, Saline, and Van Buren.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC—“I am pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan manner to do the right thing for Americans who face the tragic effects of flood damage in their homes and communities. Over 140,000 New Yorkers are covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, and today’s action is an important step in ensuring that this protection remains intact.

Flooding in Lindenhurst, New York: Photo by bloomsday616 (CC)    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the Senate's passage of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3121). Senator Obama voted in favor of the measure, which passed by a vote of 92 to 6.

Barack Obama: Photo courtesy Barack Obama campaign

"Every year, tens of thousands of homeowners and businesses throughout the country suffer from catastrophic flooding, and we must do everything we can to ensure they can recover as quickly as possible. I am proud the Senate passed this legislation today, which makes important improvements to the National Flood Insurance Program.    » read more »

Requests Public Assistance for Additional Areas

May 13, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci on Friday sent an additional request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking public assistance covering Aroostook, Knox, Lincoln, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo Counties.

On Friday, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for Aroostook County as a result of the record flooding that struck the County two weeks ago.

FEMA and the State have conducted preliminary damage assessments to roads and other public infrastructure in several Maine counties including Aroostook. As a result of these assessments, the Governor is pursuing additional assistance that may be made available for local governments.    » read more »

Annual notice will provide information about flood insurance eligibility

May 12, 2008 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed legislation (S.F. 2980) today that requires insurance companies and agents to annually notify homeowners if their insurance policy does not include flood coverage.

Minnesota flooding: Photo by cjohnson7 (CC)

The required notice will also remind homeowners that they have the right to purchase flood insurance if they so choose.    » 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 »

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 »