Preparedness

May 29, 2009 -- President Barack Obama and Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Janet Napolitano today attended briefings at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the nation's preparedness for the 2009 Hurricane Season beginning June 1.

The meeting began with a briefing by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate about the 2009 Hurricane predictions; federal disaster assistance programs; temporary housing; commodity distribution plans; and state and local emergency planning and coordination. The discussion also included new plans and technologies FEMA has for the upcoming hurricane season.    » read more »

Emphasizes safety and vigilance during hurricane season that begins June 1, 2009

May 28, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist encouraged all Floridians to make the final preparations necessary to keep their families, homes, businesses and communities safe during the 2009 Hurricane Season in a video message released today. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp is also promoting the importance of hurricane preparedness, emphasizing safety disaster plans at the 2009 National Hurricane Survival Initiative launch in Miami.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the beginning of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season upon us, hurricane prone states across the country are doing their part to help prepare their citizens and communities. From sales tax holidays on hurricane and emergency preparedness equipment in Virginia and Louisiana, to a major hurricane exercise in Florida, states are taking actions to ensure that citizens and the emergency response community are prepared for the 2009 hurricane season.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- MOORHEAD, Minn. -- One-fourth of all businesses that close because of a disaster never reopen, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. But businesses that have a disaster preparedness plan - and implement it - typically have less damage, loss and downtime than those that do not.

The recent flooding in the Red River Valley affected hundreds of Minnesota businesses. With this current disaster risk in mind, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) urge business owners and managers to increase their chance of surviving this or any other type of event by being ready before disasters happen.    » read more »

RALEIGH (May 26, 2009) -- Although hurricane season doesn't officially begin until June 1, activity in the Tropics this week foretells the possibility of an active year. Progress Energy Carolinas is prepared for whatever Mother Nature brings. The company said last week it has a detailed plan in place to ensure it can respond quickly, safely and decisively to storm damage and power outages.

The company's comprehensive storm plan provides the ability to mobilize thousands of employees and outside resources as needed. And a continuous focus on improvement has reduced restoration time and costs over the last decade.    » read more »

Encourages Virginians to prepare for emergencies, take advantage of Sales Tax Holiday May 25-31

May 22, 2009 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine has recognized May 24-30 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week and today reminded Virginians that the Commonwealth will mark its second annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from Monday, May 25, through Sunday, May 31.

"Hurricane season will soon be here and now is a good time to start thinking about what you will need if one of these devastating storms affects Virginia," Governor Kaine said. "These tax breaks should help everyone buy the items they need to see them through the difficult days that follow the storms."    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Jackson, Mississippi - With another hurricane season fast approaching, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Mississippi Emergency Management Director Mike Womack want to remind Mississippians to have emergency evacuation and communication plans and disaster supply kits ready.

Governor Barbour signed a proclamation declaring May 25 to May 29 as Mississippi’s Hurricane Preparedness Week. The awareness week is held in conjunction with the National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

“We have come a long way since Hurricane Katrina, but Mississippians need to remember that while catastrophic hurricanes don’t happen every year, we still have to be prepared for the worst and pray for the best,” Governor Barbour said.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- NOAA forecasters say a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. However, as with any season, the need to prepare for the possibility of a storm striking near you is essential.

“Today, more than 35 million Americans live in regions most threatened by Atlantic hurricanes,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Timely and accurate warnings of severe weather help save lives and property. Public awareness and public preparedness are the best defenses against a hurricane.”    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Secretary Napolitano: Good afternoon. The President asked [Federal Emergency Management Agency] Administrator [Craig] Fugate and I to get together with hurricane state governors to discuss preparedness in the upcoming hurricane season. The President wants all of us to be engaged, working together as hurricane season gets underway.

So we just had a great teleconference with governors of the hurricane states, with FEMA regional administrators, and representatives of our many federal partners. As you know, we always book hurricane season as beginning June 1. Preparations actually are ongoing all year long. It's just by this time of the year, those preparations increase.    » read more »

March 18, 2009 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Saint Paul will be partially activated in response to increasing flood preparedness activities being undertaken by state emergency management officials, officials in counties adjacent to the Red River, the Army Corps of Engineers and others.

The Governor also directed Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy to organize “Minnesota Prepares,” an effort that will include state agencies officials who work together as the Minnesota Recovers Task Force in response to a natural disaster.    » read more »

Announces $1.1 Million in Grants to Communities in 21 Counties

March 12, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Communities in 21 counties will benefit from new state investments announced today by Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell that will help to ensure vital flood protection measures are in peak working order and protecting local residents.

The Governor said the state was directing $1.1 million in flood protection grants to assist with maintenance and improve operations at 28 locally operated flood protection projects.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- NEWARK – Delaware Gov. Jack Markell on Monday praised Fraunhofer USA on receiving a $12 million federal grant and on the company’s plans to add more jobs at its Newark facility.

The funding will help Fraunhofer continue its development of a process to quickly manufacture vaccines in the event of serious outbreaks, such as a flu pandemic or anthrax attack.

Fraunhofer is the only company in the world with this technology, which was developed in Newark. Fraunhofer expects its workforce in Delaware to grow by 50 percent over the next three years.    » read more »

Fugate Will Appear With DHS Secretary Napolitano Tomorrow in New Orleans

March 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Craig Fugate to be his FEMA Administrator.

On the nomination of Craig Fugate, President Obama said, "From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida’s Emergency Manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA. I’m confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.    » read more »

February 27, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Advance planning and quick response is the key to saving lives when confronted with tornadoes.

Severe storms that often spawn tornadoes can approach quickly, and there may be only a short time to make a life-or-death decision.

March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) encourages Missourians to prepare ahead for the worst.

"We remind all Missouri residents that each household needs to have a disaster preparedness plan," said FEMA's Tom Hall, federal coordinating officer for disaster operations in Missouri. "Planning and practicing specifically how and where you will take shelter in the event a tornado could be a matter of survival."    » read more »

Aug 13, 2008 -- NEW ORLEANS – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced plans for more than $1 billion in coastal protection and restoration projects in Louisiana. This announcement of projects today represents the largest investment in coastal protection programs in Louisiana history and includes $300 million in funding the Governor called for in his second special session of the legislature earlier in the year, $200 million in surplus funding from the 2007 legislative session, $510 million from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, $83 million from the state trust fund/capital outlay and $68 million from the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act.    » read more »