Weather

March 16, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today issued a statewide disaster declaration in anticipation of potential flooding, citing heavy snow pack on saturated land around the state and flood forecasts by the National Weather Service indicating "a strong potential for significant flooding in river basins throughout the state."

Hoeven formally requested assistance from the Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to supplement state and local efforts. Hoeven said, "Because of the urgent and compelling flood threat, I am requesting Corps assistance for flood control efforts in the Devils Lake, James River, Souris River, and Red River of the North basins, as needed."    » read more »

March 11, 2009 -- HOLYOKE, MA. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now obligated in excess of $5 million to reimburse seven Massachusetts counties for the eligible costs associated with their response to the December 11, 2008 ice storm.

More than 277 Massachusetts communities and eligible private-non-profits in the seven declared counties, as well as several state agencies, have applied for federal assistance through FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program. These entities applied for aid to offset the costs of eligible resources associated with the state and local response during the incident period which lasted from December 11 through December 18, 2008.    » read more »

March 10, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has asked President Obama’s administration to approve individual assistance for qualifying Kentucky residents who suffered severe damages to their homes and property in the January winter storm.    » 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 »

March 5, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that President Obama has approved New York State’s appeal and declared nine counties eligible for major federal disaster assistance for the damages that resulted from the December 2008 ice storm. The counties included in the major disaster declaration are Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington.    » read more »

State’s federal disaster declaration request approved by President Obama

METROPOLIS – March 5, 2009. On Thursday at 3:00 p.m., at the Metropolis Community Center, 900 West 10th St., Illinois Governor Pat Quinn formally announced that President Barack Obama approved the state’s request for federal assistance for nine southern Illinois counties that were damaged by a severe winter storm in January.

“This ice storm was devastating to southern Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “It is very reassuring, especially during these tough economic times, to know these nine counties will receive federal financial assistance so that southern Illinois can continue to move forward with the recovery process.”    » read more »

February 25, 2009 -- Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved his request for public assistance for three Oklahoma counties hit hard by this month’s severe storms and tornadoes. Additionally, federal officials granted the Governor’s request for another six counties to receive public assistance in the wake of the January ice storm.

The designation delivers federal funding to assist municipalities, counties and rural electric cooperatives with infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storms.    » read more »

February 17, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced today that the White House has approved his request for public assistance for four Oklahoma counties hit hard by January ice storms.

As a result, local governments and rural electric cooperatives in Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Hughes counties can receive federal funding for infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storm.

Gov. Henry made the request on Feb. 10. In those four counties alone, the ice storm resulted in an estimated $7.3 million in infrastructure damage and response costs.    » read more »

February 11, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. — As recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of the recent winter storms that pummeled more than 100 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, the National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm and high wind warnings for numerous counties across the state.

Gov. Steve Beshear urges Kentuckians to use extreme caution traveling and operating alternative heat sources in the event of power outages during this most recent wave of inclement weather. With many trees already damaged by the ice storm, Kentuckians are urged to be cautious and watch for falling limbs and downed trees from the high winds and locally strong storms.    » read more »

February 10, 2009 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today requested that President Obama grant public assistance to four counties hard hit by the ice storm that began Jan. 26. If approved, the designation would deliver federal funding to assist municipalities, counties and rural electric cooperatives with infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storm.

The counties in the request are Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Hughes. In these counties alone, the storm resulted in an estimated $7.3 million in infrastructure damage and response costs. Other counties can be added to the request as additional damages are identified.    » read more »

Gov. Beshear sought declaration this week following devastating winter storms

February 05, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky.— Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today received word from the White House that President Barack Obama has granted the governor’s request for a major disaster declaration for the commonwealth of Kentucky, following the devastating winter storm that has paralyzed parts of the state and left hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians without electricity, water and heat.    » read more »

Feb 4, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Cross, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Poinsett, Pope, Randolph, Scott, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington Counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by last week's ice storm.

Beebe has also submitted a request to President Obama for a federal major disaster declaration for 25 of these counties where FEMA assessments have already taken place. Additional counties will be added to the federal request as those assessments continue.    » read more »

February 3, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- There are less than scrupulous contractors out there, who prey on people in difficult circumstances.

Even more incredible are the fake offers of state and federal aid to disaster victims. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) encourage Missouri property owners to beware of scam artists that tend to follow disasters.

"Beware of imposters," said Tom Hall, FEMA's federal coordinating officer for disaster operations in Missouri. "FEMA and SEMA representatives always wear photo IDs."

Missouri residents who suspect price gouging or other fraud can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office at www.ago.mo.gov, or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at (573) 751-3321.    » read more »

Declaration would bring federal assistance for estimated $77 million in ice-storm damage

Feb 3, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe this afternoon asked President Obama to declare a major disaster in 25 Arkansas counties hit hard by last week's ice storm. The counties include Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Conway, Craighead, Cross, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington.

The declaration would bring federal assistance to cover 75 percent of the estimated $77 million in damages to public infrastructure in the affected counties, including utility systems, roads and bridges, water-control facilities and debris removal.    » read more »

February 02, 2009 --FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today asked President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster for the commonwealth of Kentucky, following the devastating winter storm that has paralyzed parts of the state and left hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians without electricity, water and heat.

Moreover, given the breadth of the crisis, the governor is asking the federal government to pick up additional costs incurred for the use of an unprecedented number of National Guardsmen and storm costs that already have exceeded an estimated $45 million. The storm is believed to be the worst natural disaster in modern Kentucky history.    » read more »