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Hardin County Added to Federal Disaster Declaration

ATLANTA – Federal disaster assistance is now available to eligible government entities and certain private non-profits in Hardin County, Tenn., for eligible damages from the severe winter storm of Feb. 15 -22.

Hardin County joins the list of 35 other counties already receiving assistance as a result of the presidential disaster declaration signed April 2, 2015.

The county was added to the declaration following new damage assessments requested by the state, and conducted by local officials, representatives of Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Previously declared counties include: Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Campbell, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Fentress, Giles, Grainger, Grundy, Hamblen, Hancock, Hardeman, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Loudon, Marshall, McMinn, McNairy, Meigs, Monroe, Moore, Morgan, Obion, Overton, Putnam, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Van Buren, Warren and White.

The federal assistance will allow eligible government entities and certain private non-profits in the declared counties to apply for reimbursement of specific expenses related to disaster response and recovery under the FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

The Public Assistance Program provides a 75 percent funding reimbursement for costs related to debris removal, emergency protective measures, and rebuilding and repairing roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, utilities and recreational facilities.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Hardin County Added to Federal Disaster Declaration

FEMA Launches New Feature to Mobile App Empowering Users to Follow Weather Alerts Across the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a new feature to its free app that will enable users to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation. This new feature allows users to receive alerts on severe weather happening anywhere they select in the country, even if the phone is not located in the area, making it easy to follow severe weather that may be threatening family and friends.

“Emergency responders and disaster survivors are increasingly turning to mobile devices to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA administrator. “This new feature empowers individuals to assist and support family and friends before, during, and after a severe weather event.”

“Every minute counts when severe weather threatens and mobile apps are an essential way to immediately receive the life-saving warnings provided by NOAA’s National Weather Service,” said Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “These alerts are another tool in our toolbox as we work to build a ‘Weather Ready Nation’ – a nation that’s ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather events.”

According to a recent survey by Pew Research, 40 percent of Americans have used their smartphone to look up government services or information. Additionally, a majority of smartphone owners use their devices to keep up to date with breaking news, and to be informed about what is happening in their community.

The new weather alert feature adds to the app’s existing features to help Americans through emergencies. In addition to this upgrade, the app also provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and Disaster Recovery Centers, and tips on how to survive natural and manmade disasters. The FEMA app also offers a “Disaster Reporter” feature, where users can upload and share photos of disaster damage.

Some other key features of the app include:

Safety Tips: Tips on how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes
Disaster Reporter: Users can upload and share photos of damage and recovery efforts
Maps of Disaster Resources: Users can locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers
Apply for Assistance: The app provides easy access to apply for federal disaster assistance
Information in Spanish: The app defaults to Spanish-language content for smartphones that have Spanish set as their default language

The latest version of the FEMA app is available for free in the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices. Users who already have the app downloaded on their device should download the latest update for the weather alerts feature to take effect. The new weather alerts feature in the FEMA app does not replace Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) function available on many new smartphones. WEAs have a special tone and vibration and are sent for emergencies such as extreme weather, AMBER alerts, or Presidential Alerts.

To learn more about the FEMA app, visit: The FEMA App: Helping Your Family Weather the Storm.

Graphic with a brief summary of a few features in the FEMA app. A brief summary of a few features in the FEMA app.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA Launches New Feature to Mobile App Empowering Users to Follow Weather Alerts Across the Country

Hamilton County Residents Invited to See Preliminary Flood Maps

ATLANTA–Newly revised digital flood insurance rate maps for Hamilton County, TN; will be available for residents to review at a public open house on April 13. Flood maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding, and are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.

The open house provides the residents of Hamilton County and its municipalities the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding, and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with a variety of specialists who will be available to talk about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more.

The April 13^th open house will be held between 4-7 p.m. at:

Development Resource Center Room 1A

1250 Market St.

Chattanooga, TN 37402

The new maps were produced through a partnership among Hamilton County, the state of Tennessee, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data make the maps more accurate. The ultimate goal is protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. Over time, flood risks change due to construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors. Flood maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes.

Home and business owners, renters, realtors, mortgage lenders, surveyors and insurance agents are encouraged to attend the open house. All who attend can meet with specialists to ask questions and learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their communities. Residents may also visit their local community’s permitting and development office to view the maps in person, or call their local floodplain manager with questions about where their property is located on the preliminary flood maps.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard homeowners’, business owners’, and renters’ insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. Flood insurance policies can be purchased from any state licensed property and casualty insurance agent Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information about flood insurance and to locate a local agent.

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Hamilton County Residents Invited to See Preliminary Flood Maps

Get Ready Now for Potential Severe Weather & Wildfires

DENTON, Texas – People living in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas are urged to get ready now for potential severe weather that could strike over the next few days in the form of possible severe thunderstorms, hail, strong winds, flash flooding, tornadoes and wildfires.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 6 office continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to support state and local partners as needed and requested in any affected areas.

“We encourage people to keep listening to their local and state officials for updated instructions and information. The safety of people is the first priority,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We encourage people to have an individual or family emergency plan in place, practice that plan and put together an emergency kit.”

If you have severe weather in your area, you will likely want to become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard including:

Watch: Meteorologists are monitoring an area or region for the formation of a specific type of threat (e.g. flooding, severe thunderstorms, or tornadoes); and
Warning: Specific life and property threatening conditions are occurring and imminent. Take appropriate safety precautions.

More tools and resources are available online to help you prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of disaster. Visit www.Ready.gov or the Spanish language site www.Listo.gov.

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Get Ready Now for Potential Severe Weather & Wildfires

In Anticipation of Severe Weather, FEMA Monitors and Encourages Residents to Prepare Now

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the potential for severe weather across the plains and several Midwestern states this week, staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region VII office are coordinating with state and local officials in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and urge the public to be prepared and stay informed.

“As the threat of severe weather develops, we urge residents to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local newscasts, monitor digital media feeds for updates and follow the instructions provided by local emergency officials,” said FEMA Region VII Administrator Beth Freeman. “This severe weather threat is a reminder that everyone needs a family emergency plan as we can’t always anticipate when or where a disaster might strike.”

For more information on creating your family’s emergency plan, visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Preparing for Severe Weather Now

To prepare for power outages and the disruption of essential services, FEMA urges families to prepare an emergency supply kit for their homes and cars. For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. When preparing a kit, remember water, medications, and items needed for the well-being of your pets.

Staying informed is equally important when preparing for any emergency, particularly severe weather threats. In addition to monitoring the guidance and reports of local emergency and weather officials, monitor social media before, during and after emergencies. Consider following the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram handles of your local emergency management office as well as hospitals, schools and voluntary organizations that serve your community. More information on building your own preparedness list is available from @FEMARegion7 on Twitter, using the hashtag #preplist, or by visiting www.twitter.com/femaregion7/lists.

Responding to Severe Weather

If you have severe weather in your area, keep in mind these safety tips:

Become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe weather hazards include the following:

Watch: Meteorologists are monitoring an area or region for the formation of a specific type of threat (e.g. flooding, severe thunderstorms, or tornados).

Warning: Specific life and property threatening conditions are occurring and imminent. Take appropriate safety precautions.

Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. Residents of mobile homes must plan in advance and identify safe shelter in a nearby building.

While community safe rooms offer significant reassurance and protection during a severe weather event, always make the safe and certain choice about where to seek shelter – particularly if there is little time to travel to the location of the community safe room. It is always best to seek shelter in your basement or in the lowest possible structure in your residence if time and warning are limited when severe weather hits.

Know your surroundings and your structures if you’re planning to attend an event, take vacation, visit family, or if you are staying in a location other than your home like a hotel, campground or cabin. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the facility’s emergency plans including sirens and warnings, how to shelter in place, and steps to be taken in the event of an evacuation.

Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.

After a disaster, be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in your home. Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards and before going back to a property with downed power lines, or the possibility of a gas leak. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.

Injury may occur when people walk amid disaster debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Find regional updates from FEMA Region VII at www.twitter.com/femaregion7. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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In Anticipation of Severe Weather, FEMA Monitors and Encourages Residents to Prepare Now

FEMA Awards $511,153 Grant to Lake County

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $511,153 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Lake County, Minn., for the installation of fire-resistant roofing materials on 65 residential and commercial structures.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator, Andrew Velasquez III. “The fire-resistant roof installation makes these structures more resilient and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals, property and the community when future wildfires impact the area.”

“Reducing the effects of all types of natural disasters is a key component of HSEM’s mission,” said HSEM Director Joe Kelly. “Fire-resistant roofing materials is a new project type for Minnesota. With the potential for significant drought this year, we are looking to implement measures that will better protect our residents.”

“Wildfire is our greatest natural hazard risk in Lake County,” says BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County’s Emergency Management Director. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide a safety net to homeowners. We’re already working with HSEM, the fire marshal, building officials, licensed installers, homeowners and vendors to develop guidelines and specifications to make this project most effective. Hopefully, these can serve as models for similar projects in future.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DPS/HSEM) administers the grants for FEMA. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $681,537 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $170,384, will be provided by Lake County.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

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FEMA Awards $511,153 Grant to Lake County

FEMA Awards $186,801 Grant to the City of Nelsonville

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $186,801 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the city of Nelsonville, Ohio, for the acquisition and demolition of eight residential structures in the Hocking River floodplain. Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez. “The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“Funding from this grant program will help the city of Nelsonville to significantly reduce flood risks in a flood-prone area,” said Evan Schumann, executive director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. “This will contribute to community resilience and toward becoming a safer Ohio.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $249,068 eligible project cost. The city of Nelsonville will contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $62,267.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

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FEMA Awards $186,801 Grant to the City of Nelsonville

Prepare Now: Severe Weather System Threatens the Midwest This Week

CHICAGO – With a potentially volatile midweek forecast that includes severe storms, heavy rains, strong winds and the potential for tornadoes, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages everyone to get prepared.

“Because severe weather can strike with little or no warning, everyone needs to be prepared now,” FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III said. “Learn your community’s emergency alert system and take all warnings seriously. You may only have seconds or minutes to take shelter in an emergency, so always be aware of where you and your family need to go to stay safe.”

Individuals should follow the instructions of state and local officials and listen to local radio or TV stations for updated information related to the storm system. If a warning is issued, get indoors, and move to the center of an interior room (closet, interior hallway) on the lowest level, such as a basement, away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.
Heavy rains can also trigger localized flash flooding. Do not walk or drive through flood water. Just six inches of water can knock people off their feet or stall a vehicle.

Find valuable tips to help you prepare for severe weather at http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather and or download the free FEMA app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device. Visit the site or download the app today so you have the information you need to prepare for severe weather.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

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Prepare Now: Severe Weather System Threatens the Midwest This Week

New Mexico Awarded More than $1 Million in Federal Disaster Assistance Following the Sept. 2014 Flooding

DENTON, Texas – The state of New Mexico has been awarded more than $1 million for debris removal in the aftermath of severe storms and flooding in Sept. 2014.

The heavy rains and flooding in 2014 flowed into arroyos, acequais, the Rio Nambe River and the Pojoaque River just north of Santa Fe. This caused more than 17,000 cubic yards of sedimentary debris to be deposited into the Nambe Falls Reservoir. The reservoir provides water for nearby municipalities and also for irrigation purposes.

The funding, which is made possible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program, covers the removal, hauling away and proper disposal of the debris.

To date, FEMA has obligated more than $2.6 million for recovery efforts from the Sept. 2014 severe storms and flooding.

The funding represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of New Mexico; the state then disburses the grant to the eligible applicant.

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New Mexico Awarded More than $1 Million in Federal Disaster Assistance Following the Sept. 2014 Flooding

Moises Dugan Sworn In as New FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6 Office has a new Deputy Administrator. Moises Dugan was officially sworn in today by FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.

“Moises Dugan is an effective leader and brings a wealth of experience to this critically important position at FEMA Region 6,” said Robinson. “As Deputy Regional Administrator, he will work very closely with our federal, state, local and tribal partners in our Region 6 states – Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.”

Dugan began his emergency management career in 1989 with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He’s also worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C. and North Texas, as well as FEMA Region 6 and FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta, Ga.

During his previous stint with FEMA Region 6, he worked on a number of high-profile federal disasters, including the Cerro Grande fire in New Mexico in 2000 and the loss of the Shuttle Columbia over Texas and Louisiana in 2003. Additionally, Dugan served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps.

“I am happy to be coming back home to FEMA Region 6,” said Dugan. “It’s an honor to again be associated with this group of dedicated and caring emergency management professionals. I know that, together, we will continue to make a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.”

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Moises Dugan Sworn In as New FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

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