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FEMA Announces Membership of New Technical Mapping Advisory Council

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the membership of the newly created Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC). As directed by Congress, the Council is tasked with developing recommendations for FEMA’s flood mapping program to ensure that flood insurance rate maps reflect the best available science and are based on the best available methodologies for considering the impact of future development on flood risk.

The establishment of the TMAC was mandated by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, and it was further expanded by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014.

The national flood mapping program provides flood maps to inform communities about the local flood risk and help set minimum floodplain standards so communities may build safely and resiliently. The flood insurance rate maps established under the program are used to set flood insurance premiums.

“The experts selected to serve on the Technical Mapping Advisory Council represent a broad range of engineering and mapping disciplines,” said David Miller, FEMA’s associate administrator for the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA). “Their extensive knowledge and diverse points of view will be great assets as they make recommendations for the national flood mapping program and how we continue to map using technically credible and scientific practices in identifying flood risk.”

Members were selected based on specific, Congressionally mandated membership guidelines to ensure that a variety of stakeholder perspectives are reflected in the deliberations and recommendations. The legislation requires the appointment of members from 16 specific member categories to ensure a significant cross section of technical expertise. These categories include a geographically diverse group of federal, state and local agencies, and various categories of private sector associations and organizations that deal with flood-related issues.

In addition to the expertise of Council members, FEMA recognizes that specific subject matter experts will be a critical component of the Council’s work and will be selected to assist the TMAC membership. Subject matter experts will include tribal officials, climate science experts, flood control experts from states with high concentrations of flood insurance policyholders, and other expertise the Council concludes is not fully represented within the Council’s membership categories.

The TMAC intends to hold six meetings during the first year; three virtual, and three in-person meetings. Members serve either one to two year terms to refresh and ensure the expert input required to produce the specific recommendations and reports required.

Proposed TMAC Membership:

Pending final approval of disclosure forms that must by law be submitted by certain appointees and acceptance of terms of service, membership is proposed as follows:

CATEGORY: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) DESIGNEE

Doug Bellomo, P.E. (Va.) – Director, Risk Analysis Division (RAD), FEMA.

CATEGORY: NATIONAL OCEANIC AND AIR ATMOSPHERIC (NOAA) / COMMERCE FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE DESIGNEE

Juliana Blackwell (Md.)– Director, National Geodetic Survey (NGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

CATEGORY: U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DESIGNEE

Acceptance to be confirmed.

CATEGORY: STATE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) REPRESENTATIVE

Richard Butgereit, GISP (Fla.) – GIS Administrator, Florida Division of Emergency Management

CATEGORY: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPRESENTATIVE

Mark DeMulder (Va.) – Director, National Geospatial Program, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

CATEGORY: STATE COOPERATING TECHNICAL PARTNERS (CTP) REPRESENTATIVES (2)

John Dorman (N.C.) – Director, Emergency Management Division, Geospatial and Technology Management Office, North Carolina State Government
Leslie Durham, P.E. (Ala.) – Director, Floodplain Management Unit, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs/Office of Water Resources

CATEGORY: MAPPING MEMBER

Scott Edelman, P.E. (N.C.) – Division Director for North America, AECOM Water Resources

CATEGORY: STATE MITIGATION OFFICER

Steve Ferryman, CFM (Ohio) – Mitigation and Recovery Administrator, Emergency Management Agency, State Government of Ohio

CATEGORY: REGIONAL FLOOD AND STORMWATER MEMBER

Gale Wm. Fraser, II (Nev.) – General Manager and Chief Engineer, Clark County Regional Flood Control District

CATEGORY: LOCAL COOPERATING TECHNICAL PARTNER (CTP) REPRESENTATIVES (2)

David Mallory, P.E. (Colo.) – Manager, Urban Drainage & Flood Control District’s Floodplain Management Program
Second representative acceptance to be confirmed.

CATEGORY: ENGINEERING MEMBER

Christopher P. Jones, P.E. (N.C.) – Registered Professional Engineer

CATEGORY: RISK MANAGEMENT MEMBER

Acceptance to be confirmed.

CATEGORY: SURVEYING MEMBER

Wendy Lathrop, PLS, CFM (Pa.) – President and owner, Cadastral Consulting, LLC

CATEGORY: DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR (DOI) DESIGNEE

Robert Mason (Va.) – Deputy Chief, Office of Surface Water, Department of Interior (DOI)

CATEGORY: STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT MEMBER

Sally Ann McConkey, P.E., CFM, Diplomat, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) (Ill.) – Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois

CATEGORY: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) DESIGNEE

To be confirmed.

CATEGORY: NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE COORDINATION OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE

Christine Shirley (Ore.) – Oregon State NFIP Coordinator, Natural Hazards Program Group Leader

CATEGORY: FLOOD HAZARD DETERMINATION FIRM MEMBER

Cheryl Small (Texas) – Vice President of Operations, CoreLogic Flood Services

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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 Announces Membership of New Technical Mapping Advisory Council

Tuckerton Restaurant Rebuilds With Improved Disability Access

LINCROFT, N.J .— When the Panini Bay Waterfront Restaurant in Tuckerton was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, owner and chef Ivar Johnson had several critical decisions to make. Chief among them was how to maintain wheelchair access for customers with disabilities while elevating the remaining structure and adding additional mitigation features.

When Sandy struck, the first floor was flooded with a foot of water, ruining the floors and walls. Waves 10 to 15 feet high destroyed the windows and damaged the mechanical equipment and duct work built underneath the original floor. The ramp and stairs leading to the restaurant were also severely damaged.

The restaurant’s main floor was elevated onto 9-foot high pylons. A new seating area was built on a raised platform and the kitchen was relocated to the center of the building. A multilevel staircase was added.

But the main feature of the rebuilt Panini Bay is the enclosed wheelchair lift outside the restaurant that transports customers up to the entrance.

Mr. Johnson stands inside the wheelchair lift to demonstrate. Panini Bay Waterfront owner and chef Ivar Johnson demonstrates the wheelchair lift.“Better price,” Johnson said when asked why he decided to go with the wheelchair lift instead of a full elevator. “And it fits the architecture of the building.”

Tuckerton had recently passed an ordinance making its base flood elevation 11 feet, “and at the time, it was an additional 3 feet on top of that,” Johnson said. Though the ordinance forced Johnson to elevate the building, he said it also allowed him to rebuild with better materials and re-do elements, particularly the plumbing, that were built improperly the first time.

The lift cost $25,000. Two people, along with a rider using a wheelchair, can fit inside comfortably. The lift has a seat, a seat belt, and an emergency phone inside. The enclosure cost an additional $12,000 and completely surrounds the lift and its mechanics. It is made out of nearly 40 3x7s and measures 14 feet from top to bottom.

Johnson found the firm that designed the lift through an architect friend. Construction took six months to complete. A short ramp leads from the ground to the chair lift. The restaurant had a wheelchair ramp before Sandy, but rebuilding it was not feasible given the height of the elevation.

“The lift gets plenty of use,” Johnson said.

Johnson admits the new design is not perfect. However, the new structure and elevation protect the restaurant, which sits on the Tuckerton Inlet, better from wind, salt water and storm surges, and the improved wheelchair access will serve the needs of the new restaurant for many years to come.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later
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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Tuckerton Restaurant Rebuilds With Improved Disability Access

New Jersey Ahead Of Schedule On Public Assistance Closeouts

LINCROFT, N.J. — When Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey in October 2012, the damage it wreaked created the need for thousands of necessary projects ranging from debris removal to bridge reconstruction. Sixteen months later, New Jersey’s progress in managing the projects stemming from the impact of the storm has exceeded expectations.

Doug Westermann, Public Assistance Branch Chief at the FEMA New Jersey Sandy Recovery Field Office, says that New Jersey is ahead of schedule on closing out projects on a disaster of this magnitude. New Jersey is planning the final group of projects and working with the state Office of Emergency Management to start closing completed projects.

“This has really only been made possible by the efforts put forth with the State OEM and our Sandy Recovery Office to move forward and not delay the process,” Westermann said.

The closeout process begins when a project is funded and completed. The applicant must certify to the State that the work is finished and all of the allocated money was spent. Small projects are often bundled together under one applicant and can be closed as a group when they are all complete. Large projects must be closed individually. The Final Inspection Report (FIR), which consists of reconciliation of costs for the work performed in dealing with large projects, is initiated. Supporting documents are audited and added to the report, and amendments may be written after overages and/or shortfalls are reconciled. After the report is reviewed by the applicant and grantee, it is then entered into the Emergency Management Mission Integrated Environment (EMMIE) grant tracking program. After that process, the project will be closed, if requested by the grantee.

The Public Assistance FAQ at www.fema.gov defines a large project as any incident with damage costs greater than $68,500. Of the estimated 5,103 Public Assistance projects in the system in New Jersey, 1,534 are considered large projects.

Through the Public Assistance program, FEMA grants state governments the funds to reimburse municipalities, county governments and eligible private nonprofit agencies for the repair or replacement of damaged roads and bridges, water-control facilities, public buildings and their contents, publicly owned utilities, and parks and recreation areas. It also includes funds for emergency services and eligible debris-removal costs related to the disaster. FEMA reimbursed these applicants 90 percent of the eligible cost.

Nearly $1.1 billion in Public Assistance grants have been obligated in New Jersey since Sandy struck. Emergency projects, including debris removal and emergency protective measures, have accounted for $729.25 million, while permanent repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, utilities and buildings, have cost $359.5 million.

Westermann said FEMA has received 63 projects from the State that are ready to be closed.

Many of the completed projects were short-term emergency projects in which the money was allocated and governmental issues were addressed. Westermann says that Congress mandated several critical changes that have affected how much time applicants have to spend allocated funds, placing greater emphasis on getting the money to them. The Applicants’ Handbook at www.fema.gov/applicant-handbook states that applicants have six months to complete emergency projects and 18 months for permanent projects.

“In order to keep money flowing to the applicants, it is critical to work on closing things out so the state can release the funds that FEMA had obligated during the project development phase,” he said.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later

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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New Jersey Ahead Of Schedule On Public Assistance Closeouts

New Jersey Private Sector Gets Down to Business with Sandy Recovery

LINCROFT, N.J. – The devastating aftermath of Superstorm Sandy left survivors and businesses in New Jersey with large-scale recovery needs. Throughout the year, the state’s private sector has made significant contributions to the recovery process and continues to play a key role.

Edison, N.J., Aug. 27, 2013 — Federal Emergency Management Agency Private Sector Specialists, Pamela Mason and Art Goetz, speak with business owners and the public about preparedness techniques to mitigate disasters like Sandy at the Sam’s Club Emergency Preparedness Expo. Rosanna Arias/FEMAMore than 600 businesses, utility companies, banks, insurance companies, colleges and universities, and professional organizations stood with local, state and federal agencies, voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations to strengthen the recovery efforts.

They disseminated information about disaster assistance to 7.2 million New Jersey residents through bill inserts, newsletters, signage and other means.

“One fast-food chain, which asked to remain anonymous, distributed 7,000 sandwiches with disaster-assistance information at 32 distribution points in three counties,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “That’s just one example of how essential the private sector is to a strong recovery effort.”

Immediately after Sandy struck, specialists with FEMA’s Private Sector Division in External Affairs deployed to New Jersey to work with chambers of commerce, industry associations, individual companies, colleges and universities and other organizations.

Lincroft, N.J., Feb. 12, 2013 — Kathy Cook, Public Information Officer for Small Business Administration, explains her role in assisting Sandy survivors to roundtable of federal and insurance industry partners. Rosanna Arias/FEMA.Response was immediate. Utility companies inserted messages in billing statements, reaching 3.3 million customers. The South Jersey Transportation Authority featured registration information on its Vehicle Messaging Systems at toll plazas, and the ticker messaging system on its website, reaching an estimated 2.9 million people a month.

Chambers, associations and businesses shared FEMA’s electronic newsletter (the E-News Update) for the private sector stakeholders with their memberships and contacts. The access to recovery information proved invaluable to their members and had far-reaching effects.

“To have the opportunity to interact directly with representatives, ask questions and get answers has helped not only members, but their clients as well,” said New Jersey Association of Realtors Chief Executive Officer Jarrod Grasso. “The recovery process in the aftermath of Sandy has not been easy, but getting the correct facts to our members has relieved a great deal of the uncertainty related to flood maps, insurance and elevation that so many New Jersey residents felt.”

Hazlet, N.J., July 27, 2013 — A homeowner discusses storm preparation and prevention with Federal Emergency Management Agency Mitigation specialist Mark Rollins and External Affairs specialist Art Goetz at the Home Depot Hurricane Workshop in Hazlet, New Jersey. The multi-state event shares information on how to prepare for storms like Sandy. Rosanna Arias/FEMA Two FEMA program areas, Private Sector and the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination group, facilitated an Insurance Industry Roundtable. The resulting public-private partnership engaged the insurance industry in a series of four meetings to explore how to enhance and expedite the disaster assistance process. A roundtable work group identified issues impeding the process and then developed recommendations that were submitted to President Obama’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force.

The private sector reached out in more basic ways as well. Sometimes it was as simple as offering a space to work. Operation Photo Rescue, a nonprofit organization of volunteer photojournalists from around the country, wanted to help Sandy survivors restore treasured photos. The organization began helping disaster survivors during Hurricane Katrina recovery. Volunteers need to set up a temporary shop close enough for survivors to access the free services.

“Finding a place for us to host our copy run was turning into a major problem as we could not secure a building close enough to where Sandy hit,” said Operation Photo Rescue President Margie Hayes. “We were coming up empty handed until Chris Spyridon, regional pro sales manager for Home Depot, offered us space at a Home Depot in Seaside Heights.”

The business of recovery is long-term, and an important part of that is preparedness, which not only helps individuals survive a disaster but can help businesses endure as well. FEMA’s Private Sector specialists have covered the state to help executives and officials understand the need for a continuity plan so work continues once the emergency is over. Montclair State University recorded FEMA’s preparedness webinar to share with all of New Jersey’s colleges and universities.

Amy Ferdinand, the university’s director of Environmental Health and Safety, said, “With the recent trend of ever-increasing disasters – whether natural or manmade – being the ‘new normal,’ there is a definite need among business leaders and stakeholders to become better informed on the topic of continuity and business planning.”

Video-links: Partnering for Preparedness, Jenkinson’s Aquarium Continuity Plan Works,
Serenity Spa Open for Business

Next in the One Year Later series: the role of Environmental and Historic Preservation in disaster recovery.

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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New Jersey Private Sector Gets Down to Business with Sandy Recovery

North Texas Emergency Managers Participate in Open House for Preparedness

DENTON, Texas – September is National Preparedness Month. In recognition of that, North Texas emergency managers teamed up today for an “Open House for Preparedness,” where they shared their knowledge and experience with hundreds of third graders in the Duncanville Independent School District (ISD).

The students interacted one-on-one with experts from the city of Duncanville Fire Department and Police Department; the Best Southwest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); the American Red Cross; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

They learned critical emergency information such as how to prepare for any type of disaster including fires, earthquakes and tornadoes; how to put together an emergency preparedness kit; and how to be aware of “stranger danger.”

“Over the next few weeks, our third grade students will be studying catastrophic events and their impact on communities, and how to better prepare their own families for catastrophes,” said Duncanville ISD Chief Academic Officer Liz Birdwell. “Today’s event gave students direct access to emergency experts, who shared in an engaging and meaningful way what preparedness means and what it looks like.”

“We are so excited to work with our partners to share this very important preparedness message with everyone – especially the students,” said FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator David Passey. “That’s because preparedness starts at home and, very often, young people are the catalyst for action in their families.”

Tools and resources are available 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. These sites include important information such as how to put together an emergency kit, make a plan and stay informed.

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

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North Texas Emergency Managers Participate in Open House for Preparedness

David Passey Named FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today named David Passey as Deputy Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 6.

“David has 22 years of experience in dealing with emergency managers at the local, state, tribal, federal and international level,” said Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “With his leadership and communications skills, he will be a great asset for this Region.”

Passey, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Brigham Young University, began his FEMA career as an Emergency Management Intern at FEMA Headquarters in 1991. Since moving to Region 6 in 1992, he has served in several positions including Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Flood Mitigation Specialist and Regional External Affairs Officer. In the fall of 2007, he left Region 6 to serve as Senior DHS Representative to NATO. He returned to Region 6 in 2011, most recently serving as Hazard Mitigation Assistance Branch Chief.

As Deputy Regional Administrator, Passey will work closely with state, tribal, federal partners, and local emergency managers to support our communities as they prepare for, respond to, recover from and to mitigate against disasters. “I’m looking forward to the challenges of the job, and the chance to strengthen the ties Region 6 has with our partners,” said Passey.

Passey fills the position which was vacated when Tony Robinson was named Administrator of FEMA Region 6 on January 10, 2013.

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David Passey Named FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

Mississippi Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

Biloxi, Miss. earns Discount on Flood Insurance Premiums

ATLANTA – Biloxi residents with flood insurance policies will now receive a decrease on their annual flood premiums thanks to the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.

FEMA Region IV Floodplain Management and Insurance Branch Chief Susan Wilson recognized Biloxi officials today with a plaque for the city’s efforts in becoming the third city in the state to earn a Class 5 community rating.

“Reaching a Class 5 rating is so rare nationwide that it really speaks to the local officials and their hard work and determination,” Wilson said. “They understand the extra effort isn’t just for a decrease to insurance premiums, but it is ensuring the entire city is more resistant to flood damage and more disaster resilient overall.”

The CRS rewards communities that voluntarily take steps to reduce flood risks beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP. These steps, which include increasing flood protection and implementing preparedness and mitigation activities, lead to safer communities and ultimately help saves lives and property. As a result, property owners and renters in CRS-participating communities enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums. Communities are ranked from a 10 to 1 scale which determines their flood insurance discounts.

Biloxi policyholders began receiving flood insurance discounts from the CRS program in 1996. As a result of additional steps the community has recently taken, the community moved from a CRS Class 6 to a CRS Class 5 effective May 1, earning an additional five percent savings on flood insurance.

There are more than 5,900 flood insurance policies in Biloxi, representing more than $1.5 billion in flood insurance coverage. Policyholders located in the high risk areas of flooding, or Special Flood Hazard Areas, can now receive a 25 percent discount on their policy premium, which is an average savings of $285 per policy. Some policyholders in the lower risk areas are eligible for a 10 percent discount. In total, policyholders realize an annual savings of more than $437,000 because of the community’s CRS participation.

CRS is a voluntary program for NFIP-participating communities. The intended goals of the program are to reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance ratings and to promote the awareness of flood insurance. The two other Mississippi communities to earn a Class 5 rating are Pascagoula and Waveland.

For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program visit www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm. For more information about the NFIP, a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Community Rating System Facts:

Nationwide Communities: 1,211

Nationwide Class 5: 66

Mississippi Communities: 29

Mississippi Class 5: 3

Originally from:

Mississippi Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

West Hanover Elementary School Fourth Graders Start the Countdown to Hurricane Season 2013 Producing Digital Severe Weather Awareness Stories

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Fourth graders at West Hanover Elementary School kicked off the 30-day countdown to Hurricane Season 2013 on May 2 with a special severe weather preparedness program at the school. During the event, representatives of the Dauphin County Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) presented preparedness information.

PEMA Central Area Director Fred Boylstein presented a two-way weather radio that was donated by Motorola through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fourth grader Reilly Shafer. Shafer received the radio for his digital story about severe weather preparedness featuring Flat Stella and Flat Stanley, the iconic characters of the national Ready.gov preparedness initiative for young people. Shafer and his classmates used their computers to produce the digital stories, which were told in storyboard format.

Shafer’s storyboard, titled “Disaster Kit,” lists items that should be kept in a designated box in case of severe weather. In his story, Shafer listed the following items:

A six-day supply of water with enough for each person to have one gallon per day

Non-perishable food items
Battery-powered flashlights and a radio with extra batteries
Food and extra water for pets
Hats, gloves, blankets and rain gear
Extra cash
A hand-operated can opener
Cell phone with charger
Extra garbage bags
A wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

National Hot Rod Association World Champion Bruce Larson was one of three story judges. Larson chose Shafer’s story for its thoughtfulness.

“I was impressed with the work that all of the students put into the contest,” Larson said. “Every topic was addressed with concern for public safety and well thought out. I chose Reilly Shafer’s entry based on his thoughtfulness in providing a list of contents for a disaster kit that should be included in every household for use in a wide variety of emergency situations.”

Emma Leibfried’s story “What to do During a Severe Thunderstorm” explained the importance of tuning into a radio to monitor severe weather. Her story said to listen to the radio throughout the storm while in a safe place.

WPMT-TV FOX 43 Meteorologist MaryEllen Pann chose Leibfried’s story.

“I chose Leibfried’s story because it was very well detailed,” Pann said.

Madison VonNeida’s story “What do You Need to Do During a Tornado” highlighted the importance of taking shelter in the lowest level of the building when a tornado warning is issued.

“Stay away from windows and doors!” VonNeida wrote. “Remain in a safe place until the warning has been lifted.”

WHP-TV CBS 21 Chief Meteorologist Tom Russell selected VonNeida’s story.

“What I really like is the touch at the end: ‘Now let’s go help others!’” Russell said.

“While these three stories were selected, each and every student told an excellent story about severe weather preparedness,” Boylstein told the students.

With Hurricane Season 2013 approaching, the precautions highlighted in the stories are especially important.

“Every student told an important message about being prepared in case of severe weather,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas McCool. “These messages are more important now than ever, as Hurricane Season 2013 approaches.

After the award presentation, students recorded public service announcements based on their winning stories. Judges teamed up with students to rehearse and record 45-second recordings. The announcements will be distributed jointly by PEMA and FEMA in conjunction with the countdown to Hurricane Season 2013, which begins on June 2.

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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West Hanover Elementary School Fourth Graders Start the Countdown to Hurricane Season 2013 Producing Digital Severe Weather Awareness Stories

FEMA Approves More than $1 Million to Help with Storm Recovery

CHARLESTON, W.Va – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has dispersed more than $1 million in Public Assistance to help state and local governments pay for expenses incurred as a result of October’s Hurricane Sandy massive debris cleanup, infrastructure repair and emergency protective measures.

Gary Brand, FEMA’s Public Assistance Branch Chief in Charleston, said, “This is the largest debris mission in the history of West Virginia. More than 1.5 million cubic yards of woody debris were scattered over the 18 declared counties. FEMA dollar totals for the Hurricane Sandy public assistance cleanup and infrastructure repair in West Virginia may top $11 million.”

Under the Hurricane Sandy federal disaster declaration signed by President Obama on Nov. 27, 18 West Virginia counties became eligible for Public Assistance. To date, FEMA has approved more than 35 projects submitted by local governments.

The 18 WV counties eligible for FEMA Public Assistance aid are Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lewis, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Raleigh, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, Upshur, Webster and Wyoming.

FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont noted that funding for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is not solely through FEMA.

“Public Assistance dollars come to the community through a cost share agreement between FEMA and the State. FEMA pays 75% and the State 25%,” said Diemont.

State Coordinating Officer Jimmy Gianato, said, “We are working closely with FEMA as well as cities and counties in the damaged areas to make certain debris from Hurricane Sandy is removed in a timely manner and infrastructure repairs are completed on time.”

Jan. 26 is the deadline for State and local governments to apply for reimbursements for recovery and cleanup costs incurred after Hurricane Sandy and for aid to repair or replace public buildings and infrastructure damaged by the windstorm.

In addition to debris removal and emergency protective measures, Public Assistance funds may be used for such projects as:

Repair of roads and bridges

Repair or replacement of buildings, including their contents and the repair or replacement of heavy equipment and vehicles
Repair and restoration of recreational facilities such as parks, playgrounds and pools.

Public Assistance funds are also available to private non-profit organizations such as volunteer fire departments.

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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.

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.

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FEMA Approves More than $1 Million to Help with Storm Recovery

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