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More than $159 million Obligated for Safe Rooms from Katrina

BILOXI, Miss.– In the last 10 years, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has obligated more than $159 million from Hurricane Katrina recovery to build community safe rooms throughout Mississippi to protect people during storms. HMGP provides grants to state, local and tribal governments to implement long-term mitigation measures to reduce the loss of life and property from a disaster.

Safe rooms can be built as multipurpose shelters to protect communities from tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. These community safe rooms are built to FEMA 361 specifications, which include hardening of walls and roofs to withstand 200 mph winds.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials have made the construction of safe rooms a priority since Katrina. A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control found that safe rooms are the best option to reduce the number of deaths during tornadoes.

“We always tell folks to get out of mobile homes and manufactured homes, and to consider going to a more substantial structure to wait out the storm,” said Robert Latham, executive director of MEMA. “By providing a secure place for them to go, we make our communities safer. Citizens need to incorporate safe room locations into their plans, or know where a substantial structure is located.”

“In so many cases, the death toll would be much higher were it not for safe rooms for people to take shelter in,” said Acting Director of FEMA’s Mississippi Recovery Office, Loraine Hill.

To date, 42 public safe rooms have been added to schools; 34 have been built as stand-alone structures for general use, and 9 constructed for first responders. Populations served by these safe rooms include approximately 44,000 students and staff; 28,000 citizens in the general population, and 3,500 first responders.

During the threat of an outbreak of tornadoes in the state earlier this year, 70 residents sought shelter; in a community safe room in Rankin County, built to FEMA 361 standards.

Another $205 million in HMGP funding was made available to Mississippi for mitigation projects, such as elevating buildings, flood control, sirens, generators and grants to individuals to retrofit areas of their home or build stand-alone safe room units.

For more information on building a public safe room to FEMA 361 specifications, go to http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3140.

A video on community safe rooms in Mississippi.

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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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More than $159 million Obligated for Safe Rooms from Katrina

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Utah Anaconda Fire

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Anaconda Fire in Tooele County.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Tony Russell approved the state’s request for a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) upon receiving the request at 9:07 p.m. MDT Monday evening. At the time of the request, residents of approximately 100 homes in the community of Lincoln were under a mandatory evacuation. The 300-acre fire was within a quarter mile of the community and was five percent contained.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Utah Anaconda Fire

Ten Years Later: Remembering Hurricane Charley

ATLANTA—Ten years ago, Hurricane Charley’s arrival on the Florida shore kicked off an unusual string of four devastating hurricanes that hit the state within seven weeks. Florida was the first state to be struck by four hurricanes in one season since Texas in 1886.

Hurricane Charley, first of the four in 2004, is remembered for its wind speed and force. Hurricanes Frances, Ivan and Jeanne bore their own distinct characteristics: Jeanne rambled across the state causing near-record flooding; Ivan was the most powerful; and Frances caused the most widespread destruction because of the 23 tornadoes it spawned.

Tropical Storm Bonnie struck south of Apalachicola hours before Charley made landfall, the first time a state had been directly affected by two tropical cyclones on the same day.

Fast-moving Charley landed on Florida’s west coast and hit Punta Gorda on Friday, the 13^th. Charley had peak winds of 150 mph as it came ashore, and sped through Orlando and across the state with wind gusts in excess of 106 mph.

Power outages lasted days, and in some cases, weeks. Many Floridians lost the roofs of their homes due to Charley’s powerful winds.

At the time, Charley was the strongest storm to strike Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and it left behind an estimated $15 billion in damage.

In the immediate aftermath of Charley, the American Red Cross sheltered 100,000 survivors. Some 3,800 patients received treatment from FEMA Disaster Medical Assistance Teams—rapid response teams of professional and para-professional medical personnel.

Following Hurricane Charley, FEMA provided:

$209 million to 116,789 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program. This included nearly $92 million to pay for lodging expenses, rental assistance, and minor home repairs;
More than $344 million to provide manufactured housing where insufficient housing resources were available to survivors;
Nearly $18 million for Disaster Unemployment Assistance to help people who were otherwise ineligible for unemployment compensation, such as farmers and self-employed individuals out of work as a result of the disaster; and
Nearly $5.3 million for crisis counseling.
FEMA also provided $609 million for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities, including public parks, and some private nonprofit groups and emergency protective measures. Of this amount, $288 million helped cover the costs of removing 18 million cubic yards of debris scattered by Charley.
So far, FEMA has provided more than $81 million in funding for projects to help reduce damage from future storms. More funding may be forthcoming as FEMA continues to partner with the State of Florida on recovery from Charley.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provided:

Nearly $308 million in low-interest disaster loans to renters and owners of 11,287 homes;
Nearly $199 million to more than 2,141 businesses.

Hurricane Charley brought long term power outages and wind damage. Take time now, before the next storm, to check your roof for any necessary repairs and have emergency tarps to cover roof damage or to protect personal belongings. FEMA has developed a series of publications to help you protect your property from high winds. You can find them here. Batteries and other emergency lighting supplies belong in everyone’s emergency kit. You can also find a useful guide to preparing for hurricanes at FEMA’s America’s PrepareAthon!

“Each storm teaches a lesson,” said FEMA Region IV Acting Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “When the people who live and work in hurricane-prone areas apply those lessons to prepare for future storms, they strengthen their resiliency.”

After you’ve taken steps to prepare your home, inspire others: share your plan and how you prepared with a friend or neighbor.

Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov for more information about how you and your family can be better prepared for the next disaster.

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Ten Years Later: Remembering Hurricane Charley

FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Eiler Fire in Shasta County, California

FEMA Public Affairs (626) 431-3843

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California combat the Eiler Fire currently burning in Shasta County.

On August 02, 2014, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Eiler Fire. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

“FEMA Region IX remains in constant contact with the California Emergency Management Agency to identify needs and, where appropriate, will provide support as requested,” said FEMA Region IX Acting Administrator, Karen Armes.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 705 primary homes in and around the community of Hat Creek which has a combined population of 1,905. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations are taking place for approximately 600 people. The fire started on July 31, 2014 and has burned in excess of 7000 acres of Federal, State, and private land.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants (FMAG’s) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAG’s can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; and supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Eiler Fire in Shasta County, California

FEMA Awards $307,275 Grant to Village of Hamburg: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish six flood prone structures

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $307,275 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the Village of Hamburg, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of six residential structures in the Mississippi 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 Acting Administrator Janet Odeshoo. “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.”

“In the past six years, Hamburg has experienced two major floods that almost reached the levels of the Great Flood of 1993,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “Removing these homes from the floodplain will enable these homeowners to move to higher ground and avoid heartache and property loss the next time the Mississippi River floods this area.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $409,700 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $102,425 will be provided by non-federal sources.

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.

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

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FEMA Awards $307,275 Grant to Village of Hamburg: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish six flood prone structures

FEMA Awards $914,519 Grant to McHenry County: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish 10 flood prone structures

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $914,519 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to McHenry County, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of 10 residential structures in the Nippersink Creek floodplain. Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.

“Approval of this grant is good news for these McHenry County residents who have been devastated by flooding many times in the past,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “The grant will enable them to move out of the floodplain and avoid future heartache and property losses.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $1,219,359 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $304,840, will be provided by non-federal sources.

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

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FEMA Awards $914,519 Grant to McHenry County: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish 10 flood prone structures

FEMA AUTHORIZES FUNDS tO HELP FIGHT COLORADO’S WEST FORK COMPLEX FIRE

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the West Fork Complex in Mineral and Rio Grande counties.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore has approved the state’s request for a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire was threatening over 200 homes in and around the town of South Fork and numerous rural subdivisions and scattered homes. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for 250 to 300 homes and there are several thousand additional tourists included in the mandatory evacuation area. The fire is also threatening watersheds, recreation and tourism in the area. US Highway 160 is closed due to the fire between the town of South Fork and Treasure Falls.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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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FEMA AUTHORIZES FUNDS tO HELP FIGHT COLORADO’S WEST FORK COMPLEX FIRE

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires

DENVER — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Royal Gorge Fire in Fremont County and Black Forest Fire in El Paso County.

At the time the State of Colorado submitted the requests for a fire management assistance declaration for both fires were threatening homes, businesses and infrastructure. Hundreds of people had been evacuated in both areas.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore determined each of the fires threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster, and the state’s requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants were approved for both fires.

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight the Karney Fire

SEATTLE—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Karney Fire in Boise County, Idaho.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on September 18, 2012, at 2:18 p.m. PDT. At the time of the request, the fire had destroyed one residence and was threatening 100 additional residences.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Idaho eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight the Karney Fire

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Two Washington Wildfires

SEATTLE, Wash — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for both the 1^st Canyons Fire burning in Chelan County and the Barker Canyon Fire burning in Douglas and Grant counties.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved Washington’s requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) for the two fires on September 9, 2012.

At the time of the request, the 1st Canyons Fire was threatening 210 primary homes in subdivisions near the city of Wenatchee. The residents of approximately 200 homes have been placed under a mandatory evacuation order and one shelter is open. The fire started on September 8, 2012, and has burned approximately 250 acres of private land. There are 85 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the State. The Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to homes. The fire is at approximately 0 percent containment.

At the time of the request, the Barker Canyon Fire was threatening 165 primary homes and had progressed to within 1/2 mile of the city of Grand Coulee. Approximately 120 people had been evacuated and one shelter is open. Three power substations and major transmission lines are threatened, with one substation surrounded. The fire started on September 9, 2012 and has burned approximately 10,000 acres. The Principal Advisor has confirmed the threat to homes and utilities. The fire is at approximately 0 percent containment.

The authorizations makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Washington eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Two Washington Wildfires

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