Severe storms

Disaster Designation Comes Amid Efforts By Clinton To Push USDA And Senate Leadership To Take Action And Provide Relief For New York's Farmers

August 13, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare a federal disaster area in response to the damage caused in New York’s Southern Tier by high winds and hail.    » read more »

85 Iowa counties covered by Presidential Disaster Declaration

August 13, 2008 -- (DES MOINES) – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver received word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that seven additional Iowa counties – Adair, Audubon, Cass, Grundy, Guthrie, Henry and Winnebago – were granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance, and Cherokee County was granted Public Assistance.

Governor Culver said, “As we move forward with our statewide rebuilding efforts, assessments will continue to be made to better identify the total damages in the state, and the resources available to citizens in their time of need. In the aftermath of our severe weather, these additional declarations are an essential part of helping all Iowans recover.”    » read more »

AUGUSTA, Maine, July 22, 2008 -- According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), more than $5,139,716 in assistance has been approved following the severe storms and flooding that struck the northern and mid-coast regions of Maine this spring. Of that total, more than $1.9 million in grants and loans have been provided to Maine households.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- More than $2.6 million in disaster aid is approved for Nebraska individuals and business owners who sustained damage during the storms, tornadoes and flooding that hammered the state from May 22 to June 24, 2008. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said to date, more than 2,000 people registered for disaster aid.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has allocated well over to $1.4 million of the approved amount in the form of low-interest home and business loans.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- Nebraskans who were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept the state from May 22 - June 24, 2008 have less than four weeks to apply for disaster aid. The last day to register is Tuesday August 19, 2008.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials said anyone who had disaster losses should call FEMA's toll free number, 1-800-621-FEMA. People with hearing or speech impairments can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov/assistance.    » read more »

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 3, 2008 -- The long Fourth of July weekend offers an excellent opportunity to take a break from the stress and intense emotions caused by the recent storms, tornadoes and floods.

Everyone is affected by a disaster, even if they don't suffer direct losses. Emotions such as grief, sadness, shock, anger, helplessness and hopelessness are natural. Experts say it is important to talk about those emotions.

Stress caused by loss or traumatic experience can sneak up on people, too. It may not be recognized for weeks or months after the experience.

Here are warning signs of stress to be aware of:

* Trouble concentrating or remembering things;
* Difficulty making decisions;    » read more »

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va., July 3, 2008 -- Like moths to a candle, disasters seem to attract slippery predators skilled at preying on the pain and misfortune of others.

That is a warning by officials of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) to residents affected by the storms, tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather of June 3-7.

"In disaster situations, there are often those who are ready to take advantage of such situations," said State Coordinating Officer Jimmy Gianato. "Be especially alert for phone or door-to-door solicitors who hand out flyers and promise to speed up the insurance or building permit process, and those who ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full."    » read more »

MADISON, Wis., June 24, 2008 -- Understanding FEMA's assistance and being prepared for the on-site property inspection can cut the time it takes to get disaster aid, state and local officials said today. Assistance with housing needs and necessary expenses may be available to Wisconsin residents affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials say that the first step is to register with FEMA. If you live in one of the 22 counties in which President Bush has authorized aid to individuals, you should call, toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, for those with speech or hearing impairments, (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. You can also register via FEMA's Web site, www.fema.gov.    » read more »

Madison, Wis., June 24, 2008 -- "Even though valuable photographs and family heirlooms have been damaged by June storms, they can sometimes be saved if certain procedures are followed," says Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The federal coordinating officer is appointed by the president to lead the federal portion of the federal/state disaster response and recovery efforts.

Photographs may be the only record of special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and graduations. Damaged photographs for which there are no negatives available should receive attention first. Once photographs have stuck together or become moldy, saving them may not be possible.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., June 23, 2008 -- The federal disaster declaration on Friday, June 20, 2008 opens the door for recovery assistance for Nebraskans according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

If you live in Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Dawson, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platte, Richardson, Sarpy or Saunders County, there are a number of programs available for eligible applicants.

Disaster assistance may include:    » read more »

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2008 -- The recent wave of flooding in Wisconsin has prompted two communities in Columbus County to seek - and win -- reinstatement into the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), disaster-management officials announced today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) removed the towns of Columbus and Fall River from the program earlier this year because they had not developed requisite ordinances adopting their new Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Both communities have now fulfilled this requirement and are now reinstated.    » read more »

Madison, Wis. June 23, 2008 -- Individuals who can't work because of the severe storms, tornadoes and ongoing flooding that began on June 5 may be eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

The benefits are funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a 26-week program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (WDWD).

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for DUA, you must meet all the following criteria:

* Live in a county declared for federal disaster assistance (see list below).
* Are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
* Unemployment was a direct result of the recent storms.
* Live or worked in the disaster area.    » read more »

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2008 -- Regardless of where they live, Wisconsin residents with storm damage who have applied for federal disaster assistance may visit any Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) now have seven DRCs open in storm-damaged southern Wisconsin counties (see attached listing) and will open more in the near future.    » read more »

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 23, 2008 -- The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Cedar Rapids. The center is specifically designed to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the flooding.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic loss these floods inflicted on businesses in Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Steven Smith, Chief of the Executive Office of Disaster Strategic Planning and Operations. “This center will provide a single one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help,” he added.    » read more »

ATLANTA, Ga., June 23, 2008 -- Families and individuals in Bolivar, Warren, Washington and Wilkinson counties who suffered damage from severe storms and flooding that began March 20 have two weeks to register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The deadline is July 7.

Those who have not yet registered should call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for the speech- or hearing-impaired is 1-800-462-7585. The registration line is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, including July 4. Online, register anytime at fema.gov.    » read more »