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FEMA Awards $3.2 Million Grant for Hazard Mitigation Project in Montgomery County

HARRISBURG, Pa. — More than $3.2 million has been awarded to fund a hazard mitigation project in Springfield Township, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

FEMA has awarded a total of $3,214,928 to the project, which is intended to reduce risk of damage from future flooding. The FEMA portion of the grant will fund the acquisition and demolition of 12 repetitive damaged structures that are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The properties will be deed-restricted as open space in perpetuity, which will help to restore the natural functions of the land.

Through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA awards funds to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program supports communities as they implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool.

This award is an outcome of the ongoing collaboration between the Commonwealth and FEMA as recovery from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee continues in Pennsylvania.

“As we continue to work closely with our federal partners on recovery, mitigation projects like these are an important step in reducing future storm damage,” PEMA Director Glenn M. Cannon said.

The FEMA award is 75 percent of the expense of the project, which will cost a total of $4,286,570. The remaining 25 percent of the total cost will be shared by the Commonwealth and Springfield Township. The Commonwealth will pay 22 percent of the remaining part of the total cost; the local part of the cost-share will be three percent.

To learn more about the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, see: http://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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FEMA Awards $3.2 Million Grant for Hazard Mitigation Project in Montgomery County

$2 billion provided to NY survivors by FEMA, SBA

Main Content

Release date:

March 1, 2013

Release Number:

NR-180

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $2 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. This includes:

Nearly $918 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
- More than $793 million for housing assistance
- More than $124 million for other needs
More than $1.1 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses

Other assistance:

More than $717 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and eligible nonprofit organizations that serve the public
More than $2.6 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
5.3 million cubic yards of debris removed
269,192 people contacted FEMA for help or information
180,406 housing inspections completed
164,194 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
25 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. The phone lines operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, seven days a week.

Last Updated:

March 1, 2013 – 13:10

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

From:

$2 billion provided to NY survivors by FEMA, SBA

Getting Things Done for Mississippi

PURVIS, Miss. – A tight-knit group of nine drove from a disaster assignment in New York to report to another, hundreds of miles away in Mississippi, upholding their pledge to “get things done” for America.

“After working together for six months, we’re a good team,” said Katelyn Eilbeck, 22, of Ohio about their disaster work.

The team is part of FEMA Corps, a new unit of AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps whose members will be devoted solely to FEMA disaster response and recovery efforts. The partnership between FEMA and NCCC was formed in 2012 with the intent of helping the agency respond to disasters while promoting an ethic of national service and civic engagement among corps members.

The team, just arrived from New York, began its FEMA odyssey in this state with training at the Vicksburg Southern Region Campus of the FEMA Corps and National Civilian Community Corps programs; Vicksburg is also their base. Now they are helping Mississippians recover from recent tornadoes, storms, and flooding. A day after they arrived in Hattiesburg, the nine embraced their tasks, working in the heavily-damaged communities in and around Hattiesburg.

Some were embedded with FEMA Community Relations teams, knocking on doors passing out information; others worked at Disaster Recovery Centers meeting survivors face-to-face, providing a sympathetic ear and directing them to the right federal and state staffers for assistance. One corps member helped out at the Disaster Information Station at the University of Southern Mississippi providing information to students and faculty affected by the disaster; others worked at the MEMA-FEMA Joint Field Office to help the voluntary agencies contact applicants, and to assist external affairs in their daily tasks reaching out to the community and government leaders. FEMA Corps continues to roll up their sleeves and pitch in wherever needed.

This is all part of the FEMA Corps initiative to engage young adults ages 18 to 24 to provide ten months of full-time service on disaster response and recovery projects. Members are deployed to assignments ranging from working directly with disaster survivors to supporting disaster recovery centers to sharing disaster response and rebuilding information with the public.

After completing 1,700 hours of service, FEMA Corps members will receive a $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for tuition or pay student loans. It’s a win-win for the agency and for the young adults.

Some FEMA Corps teams, including the one sent to Mississippi, may team up with voluntary agencies one day a week to work on community service projects – providing there is time and opportunity.

“We’ve gone to survivors’ homes to help take out debris, including insulation and drywall and we scrubbed and sprayed for mold,” said Eilbeck about community service. They expect to do the same in Mississippi.

Life can be spartan on the FEMA Corps trail. Teams share tight lodging – sometimes seven women to a room with one bathroom. For several months, a decommissioned military ship activated by the federal government served as temporary home. They pool meager funds to prepare communal meals.

“It can be somewhat stressful,” said team member Jack Brinck, 22, of Texas. “We’re pulled out of our comfort zones – for some it’s the first time away from home – but it’s a learning experience and quite rewarding.”

Eilbeck says they support each other, working through the challenges. They use what they learn about their own team’s dynamics and carry it to their assignments involving FEMA’s stakeholders – and to their encounters with disaster survivors.

In Mississippi just a few days, the team identifies strongly with the state’s recovery mission; they feel connected to those whose lives have been turned upside down in the Pine Belt. FEMA Corps is serving as a key part of FEMA’s disaster recovery mission. They’re getting things done for Mississippi.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Getting Things Done for Mississippi

FEMA Awards $3 Million to Louisiana Department of Transportation for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will receive a $3 million federal grant to reimburse the costs it incurred clearing debris, including boats, from public roads after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday.

The $3,085,418 grant covers the removal and disposal of debris, including:

77,400 cubic yards of vegetative debris (a cubic yard is about the size of a washing machine)
37,200 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris
55,200 cubic yards of marsh grass
7,000 cubic yards of hazardous household waste
35,000 cubic yards of sediment
47 boats deposited in state roadways

“Debris removal is an essential step in disaster recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “By restoring access to schools, businesses and recreation, this work provided Louisianians with an important step in their journey back to normal.”

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state. The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $3,085,418, helps reimburse the department during the Hurricane Isaac response and recovery.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $222.9 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Awards $3 Million to Louisiana Department of Transportation for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

FEMA Awards $3.7 Million to Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will receive a $3.7 million federal grant to reimburse some of the costs associated with the delivery of fuel and fuel tanks meant to maintain vital citizen services during and after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Friday.

The department will receive $3,720,547 in Public Assistance grant funds to help cover the costs of fuel distribution to agencies such as Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Transportation and Development, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Correctional Institute for Women. During the storm and subsequent days, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry dispensed more than 375,000 gallons of diesel fuel and more than 67,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline to 14 agencies across the state.

“During and after Hurricane Isaac, the department distributed essential fuel to provide emergency power to keep food supplies safe and run temporary pet shelters,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This distribution offered a vital public service for the citizens of Louisiana.”

The newly awarded funds are a portion of the nearly $223 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana, it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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Source:

FEMA Awards $3.7 Million to Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

3 Months Remain Before Ellis Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas –– In three months, on Monday, June 3, 2013, new flood maps for Ellis County, Texas will become effective. Before that date, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the United States and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, residents can contact their local floodplain administrator.

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Participation in the NFIP can assure a faster recovery in the event of a devastating flood. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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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 us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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3 Months Remain Before Ellis Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

New Flood Maps Show Updated Flood Risks Throughout Upper Chattahoochee River Region

ATLANTA – New flood insurance rate maps will soon go into effect in metro Atlanta for communities in the Upper Chattahoochee River Region, specifically in Cobb, Douglas, Forsyth, Gwinnett, DeKalb and Fulton counties.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have been working with county and municipal governments over the last several years to incorporate the best available data into these flood maps. The ultimate goal of the maps is to protect property owners and communities by showing the extent of flood risk in their areas. Flood maps also help to determine flood insurance rating and building requirements.

Flood maps for Cobb, Douglas, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties will be effective on March 4, 2013; maps for DeKalb County will be effective in May, and maps for Fulton County will be effective in September. Coweta County’s flood maps were effective earlier this month. If you live in an area with a new map, visit www.GeorgiaDFIRM.com to find your flood risk online. You can also contact your local floodplain manager with questions about the new maps, and to learn more about flood risks in your community.

These updated maps are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data has been incorporated, and the latest science has been used to make them more accurate. Flood risks change over time due to construction, development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors. These changes send water flowing in new directions, creating flood risks that didn’t exist previously—precisely why flood maps must be updated periodically.

The historic September 2009 flooding in North Georgia is a reminder of how devastating disasters can be. We may not know when the next one will strike, but we can protect ourselves by knowing what risks exist in our communities, and to prepare for them.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Even people living in lower risk areas can experience flooding, which is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. In fact, about 25 percent of flood insurance claims occur in lower risk flood zones.

Regardless of flood zone, everyone should take steps to financially protect themselves from a flood disaster which affects far too many communities each year. The primary way to do this is by purchasing flood insurance. Since standard homeowner’s, business owner’s, and renter’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone.

Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program, a voluntary program administered by the FEMA. You can purchase flood insurance policies from state-licensed property and casualty insurance agents who you deal with for other property insurance needs, or visit www.floodsmart.gov to locate an agent.

New Flood Maps Show Updated Flood Risks Throughout Upper Chattahoochee River Region

FEMA, MEMA Extend Helping Hands To Students, Staff At USM

PURVIS, Miss. – On the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi, a table was set up this week in the lobby of the R.C. Cook Student Union. Behind it sat folks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, its state counterpart MEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and a FEMA Corps young adult. They were there to bring the message to students and faculty about the help available to those affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding.

The Disaster Information Station came to be at the urging of USM alumni Governor Phil Bryant (class of ’77) and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny L. Dupree (class of ’96). The governor asked FEMA and MEMA to reach out to the students and staff at the school who might not have the time or means to seek assistance otherwise.

“We were so excited to be able to bring our partners on campus to make sure the entire USM family is being taken care of,” said MEMA Director Robert Latham. “The university has been very proactive from the start and we appreciate its efforts.”

“We will continue to staff the station as long as there is a need,” he said.

“The Disaster Information Station on the USM campus underscores FEMA’s dedication to the whole-community nature of our mission,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles. “We want to make sure all those affected by the storms get the help they deserve.”

The station opened for business on Monday morning, Feb. 26 and is currently set to remain open through Friday, March 1. About 25 students and staff showed up on that first day and learned how to register for assistance and what FEMA aid might be available.

Many of these students get around by bicycle. Some lost their cars, or their living quarters were hit, or their personal belongings were damaged or destroyed.

“Most of these young people could not get to a regular FEMA Disaster Recovery Center,” Quarles said, “So we brought a little version of a DRC to them.”

FEMA Corps member Reilly Bean, who had been deployed to Nassau County in New York for Hurricane Sandy before coming south, was able to give advice and guidance to some of his Generation-Y contemporaries.

Not all the visitors on Monday were looking for help. Some were offering it, looking for ways to pitch in. The people manning the station were able to direct them to volunteer organizations in Hattiesburg.

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Source article:

FEMA, MEMA Extend Helping Hands To Students, Staff At USM

Talk to FEMA Mitigation Experts at Spring Home Show in Hartford This Weekend

Main Content

Release date:

February 28, 2013

Release Number:

072

WINDSOR, Conn. — Hazard Mitigation experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be on hand at the Spring Home Show this weekend at the XL Center in downtown Hartford.

FEMA’s experts can be found at booth No. 624 at the show, which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the XL Center, located at 1 Civic Center Plaza.

Homeowners and builders can get answers to questions about how to undertake home repairs in a more disaster-resistant or resilient way. FEMA’s Mitigation specialists will have several free and accessible publications to offer, and can provide tips on topics including:

Retrofitting utilities;
Flood-resistant building materials;
Retrofitting residential structures;
Basic emergency management and disaster preparedness.

The Spring Home Show will feature more than 800 vendors.

Last Updated:

February 28, 2013 – 14:17

State or Region:

Connecticut

Related Disaster:

Connecticut Hurricane Sandy

Taken from:

Talk to FEMA Mitigation Experts at Spring Home Show in Hartford This Weekend

FEMA Obligates $1.2 Million to St. John Parish School Board for Hurricane Isaac Emergency Measures

BATON ROUGE, La. – The St. John Parish School Board will receive a $1.2 million federal grant to reimburse transportation costs it incurred because of Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday.

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state. Two public schools in St. John Parish sustained flooding serious enough to close their doors temporarily and students from those schools had to be bused to other locations. The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $1,234,063, helps reimburse the school board for those transportation costs.

“The St. John School Board acted quickly to make sure students remained safe and continued their educations after the storm,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “Reimbursement for those transportation-related expenses supports the schools’ recovery efforts.”

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $222 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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FEMA Obligates $1.2 Million to St. John Parish School Board for Hurricane Isaac Emergency Measures

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