Severe storms

Additional areas can be added as damage assessments continue

May 15, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin and state emergency management officials late this afternoon received word that President Obama has approved the governor’s request for a federal disaster declaration for southern West Virginia, following severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that occurred last weekend.

This designation enables federal funding and personnel to be allocated to the flood-ravaged areas to assist with cleanup efforts and to provide additional assistance to those who were directly affected by the flooding and storms.    » read more »

Foreclosure protection offered to displaced families in 10 counties

May 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to 10 storm-ravaged counties in Mississippi and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes in March.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today sent joint federal and state damage assessment teams to 28 counties in southern Missouri that were affected by the May 8 storm system that brought tornadoes, straight line winds and flash flooding. The teams will canvass areas with local officials, verifying damage to homes and businesses from the storm to support the Governor's request for Federal Disaster Assistance.

"It is imperative that our citizens receive help to recover from last week's devastating storms," Gov. Nixon said. "Many communities are still without power, and we are working diligently with local officials and the utility companies to expedite the recovery effort."    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management want to remind those with damages from the severe storms and tornadoes of April 9 that loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are not just for businesses. The low-interest loans are also available for residents in the disaster-designated counties of Miller, Polk and Sevier counties.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Twelve Minnesota counties and a tribal reservation were designated eligible for federal Public Assistance (PA) on Wednesday. That brings the total number of counties to 27 according to officials from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Newly designated include Becker, Beltrami, Chippewa, Clearwater, Douglas, Hubbard, Lac Qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Pope, Swift, Stevens, and Yellow Medicine counties and the White Earth Tribal Reservation.    » read more »

April 18, 2009 -- At 1:30 this morning, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, in coordination with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs' Division of Emergency Management, activated the Colorado National Guard to support emergency shelter operations in Clear Creek County.

Hazardous weather conditions closed I-70 and other roads along the mountain corridor between Morrison and Vail. The severe weather forced numerous stranded motorists to seek emergency shelter in Idaho Springs and Georgetown.

I-70 is now open in both directions, although travel is still discouraged at this time.    » read more »

April 14, 2009 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that the Presidential major disaster declaration for Minnesota now includes federal relief and recovery assistance for Roseau, Otter Tail, Pennington, Red Lake, Grant, Lake, Wadena and Mahnomen counties. The eight counties were added by FEMA today after damage assessments were completed last week.

“Flooding may have damaged infrastructure, but not the Minnesota spirit,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This federal assistance will help communities in these counties recover from damage caused by flooding this spring.”    » read more »

Apr 14, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe this afternoon sent a letter to President Obama asking him to declare a major disaster in Miller, Polk and Sevier Counties in response to last Thursday's tornadoes. The declaration would provide financial assistance for storm victims, as well as temporary housing, disaster unemployment insurance, crisis counseling, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.

Assessment teams tallied 659 damaged homes in the three counties, including 157 homes destroyed. Another 140 homes suffered major damage.

Teams from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management continue to assess the extent of storm damage to public infrastructure. That work may lead to an additional request for public assistance.

Source: Arkansas Governor

Apr 13, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Ashley and Miller Counties as state disaster areas due to damage caused by last Thursday's severe storms. Beebe previously declared Howard, Polk and Sevier Counties on Friday.

Teams from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management are continuing their preliminary assessments of storm damage. Governor Beebe expects to request federal aid for individual storm victims within the next few days.

Arkansas 2-1-1 stands ready to help storm victims who need information about disaster services, as well as Arkansans who wish to volunteer or to provide help. The call to 2-1-1 is free.

Source: Arkansas Governor

Resilient Missourians Recover From Raucous '08

March 26, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Winter storms, ice, flooding, and tornadoes made 2008 a year like few others in Missouri.

Beginning with the December 2007 ice storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinated recovery efforts for seven separate disasters that hit the state last year. More than $181 million in disaster assistance was provided to individuals, businesses and qualifying nonprofit organizations, and to state and local governments.    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has issued a disaster declaration due to today's blizzard, activating the National Guard to assist with rescue operations and authorizing up to $200,000 in state funds for emergency assistance.

"Our first and foremost concern is the health, safety and welfare of Colorado's citizens," Gov. Ritter said. "We have activated the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor conditions, coordinate the state's resources and respond as needed. We are also asking residents to limit their travel and encourage employers to consider releasing employees in a phased manner to alleviate heavy traffic this afternoon."

Here is the text of Executive Order D 005 09, "Declaring a Disaster Emergency Due to a Severe Blizzard":    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The $9 million in disaster assistance that has gone to residents affected by the mid- January, severe winter weather is partly the result of the extensive community relations effort of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD). These officials spread throughout the state, knocking on doors and talking to people affected by the January 6-16, 2009, severe winter storm, landslides and flooding. They are encouraging people from 15 designated counties to apply for disaster assistance before the deadline of March 31.    » 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 »

February 23, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has issued an Emergency Declaration extending the hours of service for power crews to help restore electricity.

The Emergency Declaration was issued at 9 a.m. today to expedite power restoration for the households and businesses in the State currently without electricity.

Governor Baldacci participated in several calls yesterday and this morning and has been fully briefed on the winter storm. He remains in close contact with officials at the Maine Emergency Management Agency.    » read more »

February 11, 2009 -- (Oklahoma City) -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today said federal authorities in Washington, D.C., have pledged any and all assistance in responding to the deadly tornado that last night struck the community of Lone Grove in southern Oklahoma.

This morning, the governor spoke by telephone to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

“Secretary Napolitano pledged to deliver any and all assistance as Oklahoma responds to and recovers from the deadly storms that shook our state last night,” said Gov. Henry. “I appreciate the swift response from the federal government. We are doing everything we can to help people impacted by yesterday’s tornados.”    » read more »