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Snow Now Means Water Later: Are You Ready?

CHICAGO – Just a few inches of water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to your home. A flood insurance policy could protect you from the devastating out-of-pocket expenses caused by flooding.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. A policy takes 30 days from application and payment to go into effect. And a typical homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover floods.

“Snow thaw and the potential for heavy spring rains heighten the flood risk throughout our area in the coming months,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “A flood insurance policy is the best option to protect your home from the costly damage floodwaters can cause.”

Just last April, many Illinois communities were under water after more than six inches of rain fell in two days, causing localized and riverine flooding throughout the state and damaging thousands of homes and businesses. Today, with less than 50,000 flood insurance policies in force statewide, a large majority of the more than 5 million Illinois homes remain uninsured against flood damage.

FEMA recommends that all Illinois residents visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 to learn how to prepare for floods, how to purchase a flood insurance policy and the benefits of protecting your home or property investment against flooding. You can also contact your insurance agent for more information.

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 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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Snow Now Means Water Later: Are You Ready?

FEMA Awards $351,066 Grant to Villa Grove: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish nine flood prone structures

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $351,066 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Villa Grove, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of eight residential structures and one public building located in the floodplains of the West Ditch and Embarras River.

“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. “This acquisition permanently removes the structures from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“This project will build on other successful flood mitigation projects we’ve done in Villa Grove, which was once one of the most flood-prone areas in eastern Illinois,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $468,088 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $117,022 will be provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/fema, twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. 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 $351,066 Grant to Villa Grove: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish nine flood prone structures

FEMA Awards $441,750 Grant to City of Chicago: Hazard Mitigation funds will be used to make flood retrofits to River City Condominium

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $441,750 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the City of Chicago, Ill., for the proposed structural retrofits to the River City Condominium building. The project includes the elevation of an existing marina wall and the installation of a sewer backflow preventer.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “The implementation of this retrofit project will greatly reduce the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“The last flood in this area forced the evacuation of hundreds of people and the loss of considerable personal property,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Jonathon Monken. “This grant is a good investment in a project that will prevent this type of devastation from happening in the future.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $589,000 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $147,250 will be provided by the River City Facilities Management.

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

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FEMA Awards $441,750 Grant to City of Chicago: Hazard Mitigation funds will be used to make flood retrofits to River City Condominium

FEMA Awards $2,784,000 Grant to Village of Glenview: Hazard Mitigation funds will be used to make stormwater management improvements

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $2,784,000 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the Village of Glenview, Ill., for stormwater management system improvements. The project includes the installation of 3,160 linear feet of new storm sewers and one new storm water detention basin. These stormwater improvements will help reduce the impacts of heavy rain and flooding in the village.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “The implementation of this project will reduce flood damage to nearby homes and lessen the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“Approval of this grant is good news for the Village of Glenview and its residents who have been affected by flooding many times in the past,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “This project will improve stormwater retention in the community, which will go a long way toward preventing flooding during heavy rainstorms in the future.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $3,712,000 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $928,000 will be provided by Glenview.

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

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FEMA Awards $2,784,000 Grant to Village of Glenview: Hazard Mitigation funds will be used to make stormwater management improvements

Get Ready: National Preparedness Month Launches September 1

CHICAGO –September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages everyone to act now and make their families’ preparedness for disasters a priority.

“National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder that we all need to prepare for disasters and emergencies,” said Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Make disaster readiness manageable by taking one step at a time— start by learning your specific risk, gathering supplies for an emergency kit, and developing a family communications plan. By taking these small, but critical, steps over time, you can be prepared for disasters.”

Severe weather and other emergencies can strike with little or no warning and can have disastrous impacts. Already this year, the Midwest has experienced several waves of destructive severe storms, including the devastating tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma. Additionally, other parts of the country are currently fighting intense wildfires, flooding and other emergencies that threaten the infrastructure people depend on every day. Whether at home or on the go, everyone should learn the steps necessary to make preparedness part of their everyday life.

“As a nation we are seeing disasters increase in their size and complexity, and they are occurring with greater frequency,” said Velasquez. “The impacts of these events are a reminder that everyone should be prepared for the hazards faced in their communities or even while traveling. Make preparedness a priority for your family today and help encourage a culture of preparedness in your community.”

An emergency supply kit should have at least three days of basic emergency supplies, such as water, food, flashlights, batteries and medications that you or your family may need on a daily basis. You can make collecting these items more affordable by gradually adding supplies to your kit until it is complete.

Throughout the month, FEMA will offer tips to help you be disaster ready. Follow FEMA Region V online at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema, to receive the latest preparedness updates.

For detailed information about how to be ready for severe weather in your area, including a list of items you will want to have in your emergency kit, visit http://www.ready.gov/, or our Spanish site at http://www.listo.gov/.

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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, FEMA, 312-408-4455

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Get Ready: National Preparedness Month Launches September 1

Disaster Recovery Centers in Chicago to Close

AURORA, Ill. – Disaster survivors in Chicago have until 6 p.m. Friday, June 28 to visit the two remaining Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in north and south Chicago.

Cook County

North Park Village

5801 N. Pulaski, Building C

Chicago, IL 60646

Royal Savings Bank

9226 S. Commercial Ave.

Chicago, IL 60617

The state and FEMA closely monitor visitor traffic at all Illinois disaster recovery centers. Traffic at these centers has decreased, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area have mostly been met.

After the DRCs close, registration continues to be available in several ways: online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information, visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Disaster Recovery Centers in Chicago to Close

New Hours of Operation for FEMA/State DRCs

AURORA, Ill. – The four FEMA/state Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have changed their hours of operation. They will continue to be open Monday through Saturday; however, beginning Monday, June 17, the hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The DRC locations are:

Chicago

North Park Village

5801 N. Pulaski, Bldg. C

Chicago, IL 60646

Chicago

Royal Savings Bank

9226 S. Commercial Ave.

Chicago, IL 60617

Cook County

Forest View Fire Department .

7010 W. 46th

Forest View, IL 60402

Cook County

1486 Miner St.

(Next to Des Plaines Theater)

Des Plaines, IL 60016

DRC services include help with applying for disaster assistance and finding out about other disaster programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local agencies, and voluntary organizations. To receive assistance, residents must apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

The former DuPage County DRC will transition to an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) on Monday, June 17, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. At the DLOC, SBA customer service representatives will issue disaster loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help individuals complete their application and close their approved disaster loans.

The DLOC location is:

DuPage County

Lisle Police Department

5040 Lincoln Ave.

Lisle, IL 60532

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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New Hours of Operation for FEMA/State DRCs

FEMA Urges Residents to Follow Direction of Local Officials Ahead of Severe Weather

Areas from Chicago to Washington, D.C. Should Prepare Now and Monitor Conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency urges residents to follow the direction of state, local and tribal officials ahead of severe weather forecast to affect the upper Midwest and Ohio Valley, eastward to the Mid-Atlantic states, tonight and tomorrow. FEMA, through its National Watch Center in Washington, D.C and its regional offices in Chicago, Kansas City, and Philadelphia, is closely monitoring the storm system.

FEMA has been in touch with its emergency management counterparts, and also is in close contact with federal partners at the National Weather Service. The severe weather is forecast to include the threat of widespread damaging winds, along with the possibility of isolated tornadoes, through the evening and overnight hours from extreme eastern Iowa, across northern and central Illinois and Indiana, and including southwest Michigan and western Ohio. The severe weather threat will shift east on Thursday and a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms is forecast for the Mid-Atlantic region from southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey and southward into southern Virginia. The area of risk includes the eastern third of the United States from Florida to New England.

Individuals in the risk areas are encouraged to monitor weather conditions and follow the guidance provided by state, local or tribal officials. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are available on many cell phones on participating wireless carriers’ networks. Tune to local news media for further emergency details in your area, and take immediate action to keep safe. WEAs sent by public safety officials, such as the National Weather Service, are designed to provide brief, critical instructions to warn about imminent threats like severe weather or flash flooding. More information is available about the WEA program is available at www.fema.gov/wireless-emergency-alerts. You can also tune to local news media for further emergency details in your area, and take immediate action to keep safe.

Everyone should 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. Some of the more common terms used to describe severe weather and tornado hazards include the following:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch – Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

Tornado Watch – Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.

Tornado Warning – A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

Now is the time for residents to prepare their emergency supplies and plan for a possible loss of electrical power that could result from downed trees and debris. For detailed information about how to prepare for severe weather, including a list of items you will want to have in your emergency kit tonight, please visit www.Ready.gov.

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FEMA Urges Residents to Follow Direction of Local Officials Ahead of Severe Weather

FEMA Seeking Local Hires to Assist in Disaster Recovery

CHICAGO – Illinois residents will get the opportunity to assist with the state’s disaster recovery while building their professional skills and drawing a paycheck. Temporary, full-time positions are available locally with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA has joined forces with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) to recruit and screen individuals to work in positions including finance and administration, writing and public information, planning, individual disaster assistance, information technology, and logistics. All temporary employees will have a hand in their state’s disaster recovery.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, and possess a high school diploma or GED. Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes finger printing and credit check, be able to furnish his/her own transportation to and from work and live within 50 miles of the employing office. Employees are also required to participate in mandatory direct deposit/electronic funds transfer for salary payment.

Candidates in DuPage and Cook counties may apply by e-mailing their resume to FEMA@workforceboard.org. Applicants must include the Local Hire Job Order Number and Job Title in the subject line of the email and on their attached resume.

Candidates for all counties may apply at www.IllinoisJobLink.com. Enter “FEMA” into the keyword search to find available positions.

FEMA is committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation, and any other non-merit factor. The federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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FEMA Seeking Local Hires to Assist in Disaster Recovery

Citizenship Status May Not Limit Disaster Assistance Eligibility

CHICAGO – Illinois residents who are not United States citizens may be eligible for federal disaster assistance for damage from the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5.

Only one member of a household needs to be eligible to qualify the entire household for assistance, so parents and guardians may apply for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on behalf of a minor child who was born here. The child’s information, including his or her social security number, will be needed to register for assistance.

Any citizen living in the affected household can apply for FEMA aid. FEMA does not collect information on the immigration status of other household members who are not registering for disaster assistance.

Non-citizen nationals, including those born in American Samoa or Swains Island, or those whose parents are U.S. non-citizen nationals (subject to certain residency requirements) also may qualify to register.

Applying for FEMA disaster assistance will not affect one’s eligibility to become a U.S. citizen.

Undocumented immigrants from a household with no one eligible to apply for federal financial assistance may still be eligible for programs run by state, local or voluntary agencies.

Those in the United States with temporary tourist visas, student visas, work visas and temporary resident cards are not eligible for disaster assistance.

To register for disaster assistance, go to www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Under the presidential declaration, disaster assistance is available for residents in the following counties: Bureau, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Will and Woodford counties.

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Citizenship Status May Not Limit Disaster Assistance Eligibility

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