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FEMA Region 6 Supports National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

DENTON, Texas – Spring storm season is just around the corner, so now is the time to prepare. With that in mind, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 6 office is proud to support National Severe Weather Preparedness Week which runs from March 2-8, 2014.

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is sponsored by FEMA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). It is designed to increase awareness of potential severe weather events and to encourage people and communities to know their risks, take action and be an example.

“Region 6 states – Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas – see a variety of spring weather threats from tornadoes to flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “That’s why it’s so important to be prepared ahead of time on an individual and family basis, as well as at the community level.”

Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, get a NOAA Weather Radio and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Take Action: Before storms strike, develop a family communication plan, create or buy an emergency supplies kit and participate in a local event on April 30 through America’s PrepareAthon!

Be an Example: Share your preparedness story with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. Letting others know that you’re prepared could prompt them to prepare as well. Studies show that many people use social media in the event of a disaster to let relatives and friends know they are safe.

Learn more at www.weather.gov, www.ready.gov/severe-weather, www.fema.gov/americas-prepareathon or the Spanish-language web site www.listo.gov. Follow the National Weather Service @nws and FEMA @readygov on Twitter.

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 http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

FEMA Region 6 Supports National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

New Grassroots Campaign to Increase Community Preparedness

National campaign encourages public to practice specific preparedness actions

WASHINGTON – The growing impact of disasters underscores the need for a new approach to preparing our communities. Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unveiled America’s PrepareAthon! SM, a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience.

The strategy and structure for America’s PrepareAthon! isbased on new social science research conducted by FEMA and presented in Preparedness in America: Research Insights to Increase Individual, Organizational, and Community Action, also released today.

“The Preparedness in America study is an extensive analysis of national household data on preparedness,” stated FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Motivating families to prepare is an ongoing challenge. The study highlights the benefit of whole community collaboration to increase preparedness.”

Findings from the report include:

• The simple act of talking about preparedness with others has a very strong positive relationship with preparedness behaviors such as having a plan, knowing about alerts and warnings, and participating in trainings or drills, yet less than half of the respondents report talking about preparedness in the previous two years.

• The survey data indicated that the workplace, schools, and volunteering are effective channels for preparedness outreach. People who were encouraged by their employer to have a plan or to participate in training were 76 percent and 86 percent more likely to take these actions, respectively.

• The data identified show clear differences in how people think about different hazards: respondents believed preparing for a natural hazard is helpful, but believed terrorist acts, hazardous materials accidents, and disease outbreaks were less likely and that preparedness would not be as helpful.

America’s PrepareAthon! providesa national focus for millions of individuals, organizations, and communities to take action to improve their level of preparedness. Twice a year—in the spring and fall—schools and universities, faith-based organizations, businesses, and civic organizations across the country will organize community days of action to discuss, practice, and train for relevant hazards. The campaign will feature preparedness materials on hazards such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, earthquakes, wildfires, hazardous materials and severe winter weather.

The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of people who: understand the hazards most relevant to their community; know the corresponding protective actions, mitigation measures and community plans; practice actions that increase their preparedness; and contribute to whole community preparedness planning. America’s PrepareAthon! provides a consistent and coordinated communication and outreach strategy around the national vision for resilience for the general public while establishing a platform for interagency and public-private partner coordination for preparedness and resilience metrics.

Like most great American successes, building a more resilient Nation will depend on the whole community working together to increase resilience by household, by community, and through partnerships between communities, businesses, and state, local, tribal, territorial and federal agencies. To date, the following national organizations have pledged their commitment to America’s PrepareAthon!: The American Red Cross, the International Association of Emergency Managers, Target, the Corporation for National and Community Service, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and the Resilient Communities for America.

For more information about America’s PrepareAthon!, please visit www.fema.gov/prepareathon or email FEMA-Prepareathon@fema.dhs.gov. Join the twitter discussion @PrepareAthon.

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New Grassroots Campaign to Increase Community Preparedness

FEMA Calls for 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Submissions

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce the application period for the 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards is now open.

These awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, Citizen Corps Councils and programs working to make our communities safer, stronger and better prepared for any disaster or emergency event. Submissions will be accepted April 22 through June 5, 2013.

To be considered for this year’s Awards, all submissions must be received by June 5, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. and are required to feature program activities taking place during the period of January 1, 2012 through June 5, 2013. FEMA will review all entries and select the finalists. A distinguished panel of judges from the emergency management industry will select a winner in each of the following categories:

Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives
Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives
Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness
Preparing the Whole Community
Awareness to Action
Community Preparedness Heroes

Winners of the 2013 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards will be announced in Fall 2013.

Whether it is an individual or a faith-based, non-profit, private sector, community-based, or tribal organization – everyone makes a difference in our community. Acknowledge the work you or someone you know has done to build a more resilient nation and submit an application.

Visit the following website for information on the Awards and to download instructions for submitting an application: www.ready.gov/citizen-corps-awards.

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FEMA Calls for 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Submissions

Reminder: Disaster Recovery Center hours altered Saturday due to severe winter weather

NEW YORK – Because of a winter storm warning issued for the New York area, all Disaster Recovery Centers will remain closed Saturday, Feb. 9. The Federal Emergency Management Agency takes this action out of concern for the safety and well-being of Hurricane Sandy survivors who might be planning to visit a recovery center.

The FEMA Helpline will remain open for normal operations. Hurricane Sandy survivors who have questions can still call 800-621-3362 (7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services are available) or (TTY) 800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice. Disaster Recovery Centers will re-open at 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 11.

Residents or visitors should follow guidance issued by emergency officials and check with their local weather forecast office or www.weather.gov for the latest information, including additional watches and warnings.

Now is the time to prepare for intense cold, limited travel options, and the possible loss of electrical power. Prepare an emergency kit for your home and car with supplies such as a NOAA weather radio, plenty of clean water, and non-perishable foods. More information on how to prepare for severe weather is available at www.Ready.gov.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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Reminder: Disaster Recovery Center hours altered Saturday due to severe winter weather

Help For Businesses Facing Economic Losses Caused By Hurricane Sandy

TRENTON, N.J. — For businesses struggling with losses from evacuations, power outages, damaged inventory and general economic loss caused by Hurricane Sandy, a variety of federal and state resources can help.

Small Business Administration

Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration provide working capital to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations. The loans help meet ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster.

These loans are intended to assist the business or nonprofit through the disaster recovery period. The money may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid if the disaster had not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace profits.

The loan amounts and terms are determined by the SBA.
The law authorizes a maximum term of 30 years.
Interest rates for loans for small businesses can be as low as 4 percent.
Interest rates for loans for eligible nonprofit organizations can be as low as 3 percent.
Businesses of all sizes are also eligible to apply for loans to cover their physical losses. The deadline for this type of loan is Dec. 31, 2012.

For additional information, call 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, email DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov or visit SBA.gov. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

Farm Services Agency

The Farm Services Agency offers a number of loans and grants to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flood, other natural disasters or quarantine. The FSA maintains 10 programs covering crop losses, livestock losses and damaged farm property. See disaster.fsa.usda.gov for more information.

Disaster Unemployment Insurance

The State of New Jersey requested and was granted federal unemployment insurance funds for Hurricane Sandy survivors. Self-employed entrepreneurs may qualify for disaster-related unemployment benefits. Survivors must first file a regular unemployment insurance claim with the state at njuifile.net. When and if that claim is denied, a claim may be filed for disaster-related unemployment benefits which have a different funding source. Read these FAQs for details.

N.J. Economic Development Authority

The N.J. Economic Development Authority can provide disaster survivors with access to capital, including tax-exempt and taxable bond financing, loans, loan guarantees, and business and tax incentives. For more information, visit www.njeda.com.

N.J. Business Action Center (One-Stop Shop)

This “One-Stop Shop” serves as an information clearinghouse for Hurricane Sandy business recovery assistance. The storm call center number is 866-534-7789. Visit www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/ for further information.

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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Help For Businesses Facing Economic Losses Caused By Hurricane Sandy

Severe Weather – Be a Force of Nature: Know Your Risk, Take Action, and Be an Example

NOAA, FEMA Launch First National Severe Weather Preparedness Week April 22-28

Release Date: April 23, 2012
Release Number: R5-12-005

» 2012 Region V News Releases

CHICAGO, Ill. — Sunday marked the start of the first National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are joining together to help save lives from severe weather by delivering the following important message to the public: know your risk, take action, and be a Force of Nature by taking proactive emergency preparedness measures and inspiring others to do the same.

“Severe weather can strike with little or no warning and you may only have seconds to make life and death decisions,” said Andrew Velasquez III, FEMA regional administrator. “Preparing now can ensure you’re ready when severe weather strikes. Start by knowing your risk, take action by making your emergency plans and once you are prepared, encourage friends and neighbors to be prepared too.”

Just one year ago this week, the largest tornado outbreak in U.S. history stuck the central and southern United States with more than 300 tornadoes that claimed hundreds of lives. The historic outbreak was only one of many weather-related tragedies, and 2011 now holds the record for the greatest number of multi-billion dollar weather-related disasters in the nation’s history.

Already this year, the Midwest and other portions of the country have experienced several waves of early and destructive severe storm and tornado outbreaks. The impacts of these events are a reminder that everyone should be prepared for the hazards faced in their communities. We are headed into May, the peak month for tornadoes in the U.S, which means now is the time to make preparedness a personal and national priority.

To “be a force of nature,” NOAA and FEMA encourage citizens to prepare for extreme weather by following these guidelines:

Know your risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for alerts from your local emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms, and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
Take action: Pledge to develop an emergency plan based on your local weather hazards and practice how and where to take shelter before a severe weather event. Create or refresh an emergency kit for needed food, supplies and medication. Post your plan in your home where family and visitors can see it. Learn community evacuation routes. Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio. Download FEMA’s mobile app so you can access important safety tips on what to do before and during severe weather. Understand the weather warning system and become a certified storm spotter through the National Weather Service.
Be a force of nature: Once you have taken action, tell your family, friends, school staff and co-workers about how they can prepare. Share the resources and alert systems you discovered with your social media network. Studies show that individuals need to receive messages a number of ways before acting – be one of those sources. When you seek shelter after a warning, text, tweet or update your status so your friends and family will know you are safe. You might just save their lives by encouraging others to seek safety too. For more information on how you can prepare for severe weather, visit www.ready.gov/severe-weather

About NOAA
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook , Twitter and our other social media channels.

About FEMA
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. Take the pledge and learn more information at www.ready.gov/severe-weather — and encourage the rest of your community to join.

Last Modified: Monday, 23-Apr-2012 16:18:38

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Severe Weather – Be a Force of Nature: Know Your Risk, Take Action, and Be an Example

FEMA Urges New Yorkers to ‘Pledge to Prepare’

Release Date: April 23, 2012
Release Number: 4031-099

» More Information on New York Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on New York Hurricane Irene

ALBANY, N.Y. — Last year, more than 1,000 deaths and more than 8,000 injuries were caused by tornadoes, floods, wildfires and other types of severe weather.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is proud to be promoting National Severe Weather Preparedness Week from Sunday, April 22 to Saturday, April 28.

Sponsored by FEMA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness of the severe weather that affects everyone as well as to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to know their risk, take action, and be an example.

“As Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee showed us last year, severe weather is a real concern for every New Yorker. Everyone must know the risks they face and prepare to meet them before disaster strikes,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr.

FEMA is asking everyone to “pledge to prepare” and take the following steps:

Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action: “Be a Force of Nature” by taking the pledge to prepare at Ready.gov/severe-weather. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes developing a family communication and disaster preparedness plan, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and visiting www.Ready.gov/severe-weather for more on family preparedness for severe weather.

Last Modified: Monday, 23-Apr-2012 15:06:14

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FEMA Urges New Yorkers to ‘Pledge to Prepare’

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