2013 Colorado Floods: Individual Assistance Fact Sheet

2013 Colorado Floods: Individual Assistance Fact Sheet

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Release date:

September 9, 2014

Release Number:

R8-14-011

FEMA Individual Assistance Program Overview (as of August 25, 2014)

Individual Assistance Programs

  • Residents of 11 Colorado counties were able to register for Individual Assistance with FEMA.
  • Statewide, 28,169 individuals or households registered for assistance in the designated IA counties.
  • In total, more than $61,628,646 has been provided by FEMA; $56,698,793 for rental assistance and home repair, and $4,929,852 in Other Needs Assistance (ONA). ONA can include such eligible disaster-related expenses as medical and dental expenses.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved $109,646,900 in low-interest disaster loans to repair damaged homes and businesses. $80,427,100 was approved for individuals and $29,219,800 for businesses and private non-profit organizations.
  • Disaster Recovery Centers were in 21 communities and received 22,314 visits from applicants while in operation.
  • SBA Business Recovery Centers in Estes Park, Greeley, Longmont and Loveland received a total of 933 visits. SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Aurora, Colorado Springs and Golden received a total of 403 visits.
  • The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program, which is managed by the State of Colorado and funded by FEMA, provided $329,449 in benefits. An additional $125,028 was paid in administrative costs.
  • A total of $4,929,852.86 was awarded in Other Needs Assistance (ONA). ONA includes services such as Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, disaster-related dental and medical expenses and more.
    • $5,749,907 was provided to fund Crisis Counseling grants. Of that amount, $4,058,059 was provided through the Immediate Services Program, which covers the first 60 days of the program.
  • The Transitional Sheltering Assistance program ended on December 14, 2013 with a total cost of $2,345,663. This program allowed displaced residents to stay in hotel rooms until more permanent housing became available.

Direct Housing Mission

Due to lack of available housing resources in and around the declared area, a direct housing mission was initiated.

  • At peak, 47 households were licensed into 54 Manufactured Housing Units
    • 80 commercial pads were leased in 5 different locations.
    • 56 Manufactured Housing Units were delivered and installed.

Commercial Sites – FEMA leased space and is currently housing 20 households at commercial sites.

There are currently 24 occupied Manufactured Housing Units (20 households in 24 units).

  • Boulder County – 9 households in 10 units                 
  • Larimer County – 2 households in 3 units                   
  • Weld County – 9 households in 11 units

The housing mission in Colorado is expected to last up to 18 months.

 

FEMA Individual Assistance

County

Applicants

IHP Amount

HA Amount

ONA Amount

Adams

988

$1,251,366.87

$1,114,910.32

$136,456.55

Arapahoe

2,721

$3,580,836.79

$3,285,586.88

$295,249.91

Boulder

15,554

$35,307,807.47

$32,999,595.45

$2,308,212.02

Clear Creek

181

$246,784.23

$244,110.69

$2,673.54

El Paso

1,466

$1,773,591.41

$1,578,068.39

$195,523.02

Fremont

101

$61,302.39

$59,351.99

$1,950.40

Jefferson

912

$1,599,530.57

$1,561,088.80

$38,441.77

Larimer

3,874

$6,991,351.23

$6,594,030.38

$397,320.85

Logan

311

$534,413.76

$491,538.67

$42,875.09

Morgan

56

$92,353.45

$84,061.40

$8,292.05

Weld

2,005

$10,189,307.98

$8,686,450.32

$1,502,857.66

Total

28,169

$61,628,646.15

$56,698,793.29

$4,929,852.86

 

SBA Total Disaster Loans for Colorado

County

Loans

Dollars

Adams

76

$1,731,200

Arapahoe

200

$4,036,100

Boulder

1,458

$65,716,000

Clear Creek

9

$171,800

El Paso

96

$2,156,000

Fremont

5

$45,400

Grand

1

$81,700

Jefferson

92

$3,112,600

Larimer

377

$20,318,400

Logan

25

$1,491,300

Morgan

3

$65,400

Weld

177

$10,721,000

Total

2,519

$109,646,900

 

Last Updated:

September 9, 2014 – 00:12

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Region VIII

and

Colorado

Related Disaster:

Colorado Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

Link:

2013 Colorado Floods: Individual Assistance Fact Sheet

Rebuilding stronger and better

 

DENVER — Rebuilding after a disaster can present opportunities as well as challenges.

The challenges include getting the job done quickly and efficiently. The opportunities involve rebuilding stronger and better.

When it comes to repairing and rebuilding infrastructure damaged in last September’s floods, FEMA’s Stafford Act Section 406 can provide mitigation funds for risk-reduction improvements to roads, waterways, bridges, dams, buildings and other public structures already eligible for Public Assistance reimbursement.

Mitigation projects are being undertaken throughout the 18 Colorado counties designated eligible for FEMA Public Assistance, particularly in Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties. The goal is to reduce risk, reduce damages, and reduce the threat to life and property from future flooding events.

As Coloradans continue recovery efforts, nearly 200 Public Assistance repair projects now include some form of Section 406 mitigation. Many of these projects involve “armoring,” or shoring up, stream banks scraped and weakened by the flooding. Workers are also elevating electrical equipment out of harm’s way in public buildings and in the field, and doing what they can to strengthen piers and other supports under bridges.

FEMA typically reimburses at least 75 percent of eligible costs for projects that return infrastructure to its pre-disaster condition. Under certain circumstances, FEMA can also fund Section 406 mitigation measures as long the project is cost effective.

Most types of mitigation projects in this disaster recovery can be considered cost-effective and eligible for funding if they are performed on disaster-damaged infrastructure and reduce the potential for damages from similar events in the future.

Cost-effectiveness, along with other conditions for eligibility, are determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants for 406 mitigation should consult with their FEMA Public Assistance Coordinator for more detailed information and guidance.

More here – 

Rebuilding stronger and better

July Anniversaries are an Important Reminder to Prepare for Wildfires

DENVER – This month marks two key wildfire anniversaries which serve as an important reminder that families need to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their property against wildfires. 

Twenty years ago on July 2, 1994, lightning sparked a fire on Storm King Mountain, just west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The South Canyon Fire started out slowly, covering just three acres over two days. Then due to several factors including available vegetation, slope of the terrain and wind, the fire began a high-intensity, fast-moving front. While fighting the blaze, 14 firefighters lost their lives.

July 9, 2014 marked the 25th Anniversary of the Black Tiger Fire in Boulder County, Colorado. The human-caused fire swept through residential areas, destroying 44 homes and burning almost 2,100 acres. At the time, the Black Tiger Fire was the worst wildland fire loss in Colorado history. As people continued to build in the Wildland Urban Interface, the Black Tiger Fire underscored the importance of homeowners taking steps to protect their homes against wildfires. The lessons learned from the Black Tiger Fire were a catalyst for many of the current recommended mitigation measures established by firefighting organizations.

In recognition of both anniversaries, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region want you to prepare yourself, your family and your property for wildfires.  Taking steps to mitigate not only protects you and your family, but also helps reduce risk to firefighters and other first responders.

Understand your Risk:

  • To determine your property’s risk, contact your local fire department.  They will be able to provide specific information about your community’s hazards, and may be able to offer an individual assessment on your home. 
  • If you live in Colorado, you may also check your property’s risk at the Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal

Protect your Property:

  • Create defensible space around your property:
    • Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks – and don’t use these areas for storage of flammable items. This helps prevent embers from igniting these materials.
    • Keep lawns hydrated and maintained. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
    • Remove flammable materials within five feet of the home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch the house, deck or wood fencing.
    • Reduce vegetation surrounding the home’s perimeter from a 5 foot to 30 foot area and manage vegetation there to 200 feet or the property line, depending on the area’s wildfire risk.
    • The National Fire Protection Association’s “basics of defensible space and the home ignition zone” page on the Firewise site provides these and other steps to help homeowners prepare their properties to resist wildfire.

Prepare Yourself and Your Family:

  • Build an Emergency Kit and make a Family Communications Plan.  Visit www.ready.gov for preparedness checklists.
  • During a wildfire, listen to local evacuation orders.  Do not wait to see what will happen! Due to many variables, including winds, wildfires can change course and speed quickly.

For information on the current wildfire threat, visit the National Interagency Fire Center’s Monthly Wildland Fire Potential Outlook.  For additional information on wildfire mitigation resources, visit FEMA Region VIII’s Wildfire Mitigation Resources Page or www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness.

A timeline of some of the most significant wildfires within the six-state region covered by FEMA’s Denver regional office is available at FEMA Region VIII’s Wildfire Timeline Page.

 

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July Anniversaries are an Important Reminder to Prepare for Wildfires

FEMA’s New Youth Preparedness Council Includes a Texan

 

FEMA’s New Youth Preparedness Council Includes a Texan

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the members of the 2014-2015 Youth Preparedness Council, which includes the Region 6 member from Texas, Obie Jones.

Jones is 16-years-old and is from the Austin area. He started a Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program at his school. He’s also an Eagle Scout, a member of the Austin Police Department Explorer program and supported recent flooding response efforts in Austin by helping rescue and shelter affected animals.

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council was formed in 2012 to bring together youth leaders from across the country who are interested in advocating on behalf of youth preparedness and making a difference in their communities. The Council furthers FEMA’s commitment to involve youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides an avenue to get their perspectives, feedback and opinions.

The 2014 application process produced a large number of highly-qualified applicants. The 12 newest members of the Council were chosen based on their dedication to public service, community involvement and potential to expand their effectiveness as national advocates for youth preparedness.

The other members selected in 2014 include:

  • FEMA Region 1: Bridget Smith (Connecticut)
  • FEMA Region 2: James Collins (New Jersey)
  • FEMA Region 3: Sahara Duncan (Pennsylvania)
  • FEMA Region 4: Jonathan Salazar (Florida)
  • FEMA Region 5: Isaiah Garcia (Michigan)
  • FEMA Region 7: Austin Witt (Iowa)
  • FEMA Region 8: Weston Lee (Utah)
  • FEMA Region 8: Matthew Mayfield (Colorado)
  • FEMA Region 9: Brittany Amano (Hawaii)
  • FEMA Region 9: Navjot Hansra (California)
  • FEMA Region 10: Raylene Ensminger (Washington)

The returning Council members are:

  • Council Chairperson: Emily Rosenblum (Missouri)
  • FEMA Region 2:  Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide (New York)
  • FEMA Region 5:  Daniel Wernsman (Wisconsin)

Each Council member completes a self-selected legacy project during his or her term.  Council members also participate in a Youth Preparedness Council Summit where they share their ideas, opinions and questions about youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of national organizations working on this critical priority.  Members also meet with FEMA throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives and projects.

To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.

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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.

Link:  

FEMA’s New Youth Preparedness Council Includes a Texan

FEMA Announces 2014 Youth Preparedness Council Members

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce the members of the 2014-2015 FEMA National Youth Preparedness Council.

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council was formed in 2012 to bring together youth leaders from across the country interested in advocating on behalf of youth preparedness and making a difference in their communities. The Council supports FEMA’s commitment to involving youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides an avenue to engage youth by taking into account their perspectives, feedback and opinions.

Young people play an important role in raising emergency preparedness awareness. Preparedness education empowers youth to keep themselves and others safe in an emergency; encourages them to share preparedness information with their families, schools and communities; and reduces anxiety about potential disasters. The Youth Preparedness Council members represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness, and they share information with their communities.

The 2014 application process produced a large number of highly qualified applicants. The 12 newest members of the Council were selected based on their dedication to public service, community involvement and potential to expand their impact as national advocates for youth preparedness.

The distinguished members selected in 2014 are as follows:

• FEMA Region I: Bridget Smith (Connecticut)

• FEMA Region II: James Collins (New Jersey)

• FEMA Region III: Sahara Duncan (Pennsylvania)

• FEMA Region IV: Jonathan Salazar (Florida)

• FEMA Region V: Isaiah Garcia (Michigan)

• FEMA Region VI: Obie Jones (Texas)

• FEMA Region VII: Austin Witt (Iowa)

• FEMA Region VIII: Weston Lee (Utah)

• FEMA Region VIII: Matthew Mayfield (Colorado)

• FEMA Region IX: Brittany Amano (Hawaii)

• FEMA Region IX: Navjot Hansra(California)

• FEMA Region X: Raylene Ensminger(Washington)

The returning Council members are as follows:

• Council Chairperson: Emily Rosenblum (Missouri)

• FEMA Region II:  Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide (New York)

• FEMA Region V:  Daniel Wernsman (Wisconsin)

Each Council member completes a self-selected legacy project during his or her term. Council members also participate in a Youth Preparedness Council Summit where they share their ideas, opinions and questions about youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of national organizations working on this critical priority. During the summit, they will determine their legacy projects and meet with FEMA community preparedness staff who will be their ongoing FEMA support contacts and mentors. Members also meet with FEMA throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives and projects.

To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.

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.

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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FEMA Announces 2014 Youth Preparedness Council Members

Be Proactive About Flood Insurance

DENVER-Whether you own a home or a business, you need to be proactive when it comes to flood insurance. With heavy snowpack this year, there is strong potential for spring flooding. In addition, wildfires devastated Colorado over the last few years destroying vegetation. The burn areas are more susceptible to flooding, because there is no vegetation to absorb the moisture or slow down the flow of sediment and mud in rainstorms.

Do not delay in obtaining flood insurance coverage. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has a 30-day waiting period from the time the flood insurance policy is written and the premium is paid until it goes into effect. A policy purchased even a few weeks from now might not be in effect for spring runoff.

Know your insurance policy and what it covers. NFIP covers the structure of your building only. It is recommended that you also carry a basic NFIP policy on your contents. A basic policy covers the following:

  • Up to $250,000 for a home; up to $500,000 for a building.
  • Up to $100,000 for personal contents; up to $500,000 for business; up to $100,000 for renters.
  • NFIP covers ONLY the depreciated value of your household goods. It does not include replacement value.
  • Fine art, collectibles, jewelry, and furs up to $2,500.
  • NFIP does not cover such items as autos, machinery, non-household related items, such as yard tools, livestock, lawns, trees, shrubbery, fences, business supplies and equipment.

To protect yourself in the event of a flood:

  • Inventory your home. Assign everything a value, so that you have a starting point in case of disaster.
  • Document any purchases. Keep receipts in a safe flood-proof place.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners in communities that are part of the NFIP program. NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which works closely with 90 private insurance companies.

Contact an agent or your county or city floodplain administrator to find out whether your community is participating in NFIP. Your agent can advise you on whether you have adequate coverage for your home and valuables. For more information on flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov.

 

View article: 

Be Proactive About Flood Insurance

The FEMA and State Public Assistance Funding Process

DENVER — FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides assistance to state agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofits.

When flooding struck Colorado in September 2013, emergency life-saving measures and debris cleanup were the most immediate needs. This emergency work is usually the first to be reimbursed.

Later, in the recovery phase, more permanent repair work gets underway. Roads and bridges are repaired or replaced; major utilities and other infrastructure are brought back on line.

FEMA determines eligibility, conducts environmental and historic preservation review, approves projects and obligates the federal share or 75 percent of the project cost. FEMA obligates funds to the state, which reviews receipts and other documentation to make sure the job is done well and taxpayer money is well spent.

In Colorado, local governments and the state each pay 12.5 percent of the remaining project costs but private nonprofits pay all of the remaining 25 percent. For state agencies, the cost share depends on the category of work.

  • For small projects (up to $67,500 for this disaster), an initial payment is made based on the estimate and the state reimbursement process is as follows:
    • Once a Project Worksheet is approved and obligated by FEMA, the state makes an initial payment for the entire amount of the federal share and one-half of the state share. Once the state receives a completed and signed certificate of completion from the subgrantee, the state will pay the remaining half of its share.
  • For large projects ($67,500 or more for this disaster), reimbursement is made on documented actual costs and the state reimbursement process requires additional documentation:
    • The state sends a grant agreement to the subgrantee for signature by an authorized official, who then must mail two signed hard copies back to the state.
  • After the agreement is executed by Division and Department Controller, one hard copy is mailed back to the subgrantee.
  • As work is completed the subgrantee requests reimbursement from the state. The state will review documentation (invoices, receipts, labor records, equipment records, contracts) to substantiate costs included in the reimbursement requests and make payments for documented and eligible costs. The last 10 percent is paid upon project closeout.
  • The state also agrees to reimburse a subgrantee from an unpaid invoice to help maintain its cash flow needs.
  • To help applicants understand the Public Assistance document process, the State of Colorado created a Public Assistance Technical Guidance and emailed it to each subgrantee. It includes information on the reimbursement process as well as grants management requirements. The guidance document and forms can be downloaded from corecovers.info.
  • Questions about the process used by the state for disbursing funds to applicants should be addressed to Scott Baldwin, State Public Assistance Group Supervisor, at Scott.Baldwin@state.co.us.

More here: 

The FEMA and State Public Assistance Funding Process

Colorado Flooding – Six Months Later

DENVER – In the past six months, more than $284 million in federal funds has been provided to Coloradans as they recover from last September’s devastating floods.

More than $222 million has come in the form of disaster grants to individuals and families, flood insurance payments and low-interest loans to renters, homeowners and businesses. More than $62 million has been obligated to state and local governments’ response and recovery work.

At the same time, long-term recovery efforts are underway, staffed and funded by federal, state and local governments, and by volunteer agencies dedicated to helping those most in need.

The $284.9 million breaks down this way: (All figures are as of COB March 3, 2014.)

  • $60,418,419 in FEMA grants to more than 16,000 individuals and families for emergency home repairs, repair or replacement of essential personal property, rental assistance, and help with medical, dental, legal and other disaster-related expenses;
  • $98,750,000 in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans to more than 2,440 homeowners, renters and businesses;
  • $63,641,332 in National Flood Insurance Program payments on 2,071 claims, and
  • $62,055,973 in FEMA Public Assistance reimbursements to state and local governments for emergency response efforts, debris cleanup, repairs or rebuilding of roads, bridges and other infrastructure, and restoration of critical services.

“The flooding disrupted the lives of thousands, changed the course of streams, isolated mountain communities, and left major roadways impassable in many places,” said Tom McCool, federal coordinating officer for the disaster. “More than 1,200 men and women from FEMA were mobilized from all over the country to this disaster. We’re proud to be part of the team as Coloradans recover, rebuild and renew their lives.”

Over a five-day period last September, historic rainfall swept through the Front Range, with some areas receiving more than 17 inches of rain. The flooding killed 10 people, forced more than 18,000 from their homes and destroyed 1,882 structures, damaging at least 16,000 others. Some of the hardest hit communities included Jamestown, Lyons, Longmont, Glen Haven, Estes Park and Evans.

At the request of Gov. John Hickenlooper, President Obama signed a major disaster declaration for Colorado on Sept. 14, 2013.

The 11 counties designated for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration are Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, El Paso, Fremont, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan, Morgan and Weld.

The 18 counties designated for Public Assistance are Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Crowley, Denver, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington and Weld.                 

Other federal recovery activities and programs include:

Hazard Mitigation

  • Approximately 50 percent of Public Assistance permanent repair work and nearly 65 percent of large (more than $67,500) Public Assistance projects contain mitigation measures to lessen the impact of similar disasters on publicly owned infrastructure. These mitigation measures have been approved for 123 projects with a cost of $3,439,200.
  • FEMA hazard mitigation specialists have provided county and local officials with technical assistance and reviews of existing flood control measures and challenges, helping revise hazard mitigation plans, and providing advice and counsel on numerous mitigation and flood insurance issues.
  • FEMA flood insurance inspectors assisted county officials to assess substantial damage at identified sites.
  • National Flood Insurance Program specialists as well as the state NFIP coordinator and state mapping coordinator met with the City of Evans to discuss floodplain management and the city’s recent adoption of the Weld County preliminary maps. The State and FEMA will continue to work with city officials by providing additional training and technical assistance to support their floodplain management program.

Disaster Case Management Program

  • FEMA has awarded a Disaster Case Management Grant of $2,667,963 to the State of Colorado. Under this state-administered program, case managers will meet one-on-one with survivors to assess unmet disaster-related needs that have not been covered by other resources.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

  • $302,795 has been dispersed to 151 applicants in this federally funded, state-administered program.

Crisis Counseling Grant Program

  • Colorado Spirit crisis counselors have talked directly with 18,178 people and provided referrals and other helpful information to more than 88,000. Counselors met with nearly 1,200 individuals or families in their homes. The counselors are continuing door-to-door services and community outreach counseling programs. In mid-March, the longer-term Crisis Counseling Regular Services Program grant will be awarded to the State to continue the program.
  • The grant will provide an additional nine months of crisis counseling outreach services to survivors.

Voluntary Agencies

  • At the height of the disaster there were 53 agencies that ultimately provided a total of 275,784 volunteer hours. Survivors received shelter, food, water, snacks, muck-out, and debris removal.
  • Long Term Recovery Groups have been established in Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties, and Longmont and Lyons.
  • El Paso and Fremont counties are offering case management through El Paso County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters.

Disaster Legal Services Program

  • Through the Colorado Bar Association/American Bar Association  program, 284 State Bar-Licensed volunteer attorneys assisted 619 survivors with disaster-related legal issues. The program completed operations at the end of February.

Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination

  • The Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination group has brought together federal and state subject-matter experts to advise local and state decision-makers on the best methods to achieve an effective recovery. The FDRC focuses on how best to restore, redevelop and revitalize the health, social, economic, natural and environmental fabric of the community.
  • The group’s recently released Mission Scoping Assessment lists recovery-related impacts and the breadth of support needed, as well as evaluates gaps between recovery needs and capabilities. Its soon-to-be-released Recovery Support Strategies document outlines state recovery priorities and discusses how federal agencies can support those efforts.
  • The State of Colorado, FDRC and other federal agencies are:
  • assisting Lyons and Jamestown with long-term community planning and recovery organization;
  • facilitating a survey to gauge impacts of flooding on business communities;
  • helping identify housing options for disaster survivors, and
  • helping local governments identify stream channel choke points so local communities can prioritize limited hazard reduction in streams.

Social Media

  • By clicking the “like” button on the COEmergency Facebook page, Coloradans can get detailed posts with useful information and photos. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s (DHSEM) Twitter account COEmergency has more than 23,000 followers and offers disaster recovery information, links to news products and other information that disaster survivors may still find useful.
  • More than 1,000 tweets have provided response and recovery information. Since the September floods began, more than 1,200 new participants have started following FEMA Region 8.

Originally posted here – 

Colorado Flooding – Six Months Later

Web Resources and Social Media Focus on Colorado Recovery

DENVER – Those following Colorado’s recovery from severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides can draw upon a variety of Web and social media resources from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The president’s major disaster declaration of Sept. 14, 2013, authorized funding for FEMA’s Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs. Although registration is now closed for both programs, survivors can still contact FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 with questions. Also, many online resources are available for information and updates.

Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters in 11 designated Colorado counties included grants for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. In addition, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration covered residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Public Assistance helps state and local governments in 18 designated Colorado counties with critical infrastructure repair, as well as aiding certain types of private nonprofit organizations. FEMA reimburses 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects.

State of Colorado flood recovery information is available online

  • The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management uses www.COEmergency.com to share current updates on disasters and events.
  • Information specific to the Colorado floods is located at www.ColoradoUnited.com.
  • The Colorado DHSEM’s main Web page, dhsem.state.co.us/, contains information about emergency management and disaster preparedness, as well as helpful recovery resources.
  • The DHSEM’s Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/COEmergency offers flood assistance updates and links to news products that may be useful to disaster survivors.
  • The DHSEM Facebook page at www.facebook.com/COEmergency provides recovery updates and also weather, preparedness and mitigation information.
  • Information on how to help those affected by flooding in Colorado is available at www.helpcoloradonow.net/.
  • The READYColorado Web page at www.readycolorado.com offers all-hazards preparedness resources, including information for people with disabilities.
  • The READYColorado Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/READYColorado informs survivors about Colorado’s citizen preparedness campaign.
  • The READYColorado Facebook page at www.facebook.com/READYColorado provides information about citizen and community preparedness.

FEMA disaster recovery resources also are available online

The National Weather Service’s website at www.weather.gov/ provides weather alerts and forecasts.

Link: 

Web Resources and Social Media Focus on Colorado Recovery

Colorado Flooding – 100 Days Later

(Editor: Cuts of disaster response and recovery are available at www.flickr.com/photos/coemergency or www.go.usa.gov/DeK9.)

DENVER – In the 100 days following the catastrophic floods that hit much of Colorado, more than $204 million has gone to individuals and households in recovery assistance, flood insurance payments and low-interest disaster loans.

In addition, more than $28 million has been obligated to begin to repair and rebuild critical infrastructure and restore vital services.

Initially, the State, federal and local objectives were to save lives, bring aid to the affected areas, provide temporary safe housing, clear debris and to make immediate repairs to damaged infrastructure to put communities on the path to recovery.

President Obama signed a major-disaster declaration for Colorado Sept. 14 after severe and unremitting rains that began on Sept. 11 inundated much of the northeast portion of the state. The flooding killed 10 people, forced more than 18,000 from their homes, destroyed 1,882 structures and damaged at least 16,000 others.

Progress by the Numbers:

  • Under the Individuals and Households Program, FEMA has granted $53,816,716 for housing needs and $4,572,871 to help survivors who suffered damage to their homes. Under the Public Assistance Program, FEMA has obligated $28,338,878 to publicly owned entities and certain nonprofits that provide vital services. (See below for county-by-county breakdowns.)
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved 2,274 low-interest disaster loans for over $90 million to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations. Of that amount, $73 million was in loans to repair and rebuild homes and replace personal property and $17 million was in business and economic-injury loans. Approved loan amounts for some of the most impacted areas include $55.2 million to Boulder County, $14 million for Larimer County and $9.4 million for Weld County.
  • More than 50 national, State and local volunteer organizations pitched in to help in the recovery efforts, involving the work of 28,664 people giving their time and energy to both short- and long-term healing and to address any unmet needs. Volunteers provided donations-coordination, home repair, child and pet care, counseling services, removal of muck and mud from homes and much more. In-kind donations amounted to $3,187,564. Valuing a volunteer hour at $22.43, the 275,860 hours of time represents a contribution of $6,162,725.
  • The National Flood Insurance Program approved more than $55.7 million to settle 1,910 claims.
  • More than 36,500 survivors registered for disaster assistance.
  • FEMA housing inspectors in the field have looked at nearly 26,000 properties in the 11 counties designated for Individual Assistance in the president’s major-disaster declaration.
  • FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams canvassed hundreds of neighborhoods, visiting more than 62,000 homes and 2,741 businesses to provide information on a vast array of services and resources available to eligible applicants and made follow-up contacts in hundreds of cases.
  • More than 21,500 survivors were able to visit 26 State/federal Disaster Recovery Centers to get one-on-one briefings on available assistance, low-interest loans and other information.

Housing

  • Since Transitional Sheltering Assistance was activated Sept. 22, a total of 1,067 households have stayed in 177 participating hotels. The Transitional Sheltering Assistance deadline was extended five times to Dec. 14, with checkout Dec. 15. To date, 55 manufactured housing units are either in place or being placed in Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties for families unable to secure other housing resources. FEMA has ordered a total of 66 manufactured housing units.

Infrastructure

  • In the 18 counties designated for FEMA’s Public Assistance program, 238 meetings were held to discuss the details of the program and the amounts involved in each recovery project. This component of federal assistance provides at least 75 percent of the costs of repairing and rebuilding public infrastructure, reimbursement for emergency measures, helping critical services conducted by governments and certain nonprofits get back to normal, and in some cases implementing mitigation against future damage and losses. FEMA and the State fielded 237 eligible Requests for Public Assistance. The amount obligated so far: $28,338,878.

Communicating

  • FEMA and the State supplied disaster-assistance information to 33 chambers of commerce, six economic-development centers and 38 schools of higher education.
  • FEMA’s Speakers Bureau received 85 requests from officials and other interested parties and 443 State/federal specialists have spoken at meetings and other venues. Thus more than 8,300 attendees were able to get information on assistance programs, flood insurance and low-interest loans.
  • FEMA mitigation specialists counseled 15,250 survivors during outreach efforts at area big-box hardware and building-supply stores and couseled more than 4,700 at Disaster Recovery Centers.
  • At fema.gov/disaster/4145, the dedicated Colorado-disaster website, there have been more than 103,000 hits – an average of 1,300 daily. The FEMA Region VIII Twitter feed has fielded more than 600 tweets and has increased the number of followers to 9,100. In the last 100 days, the State has sent out 1,025 tweets, has increased to 21,500 @COemergency followers and the COemergency Facebook page garnered 2,182 “likes.” The coemergency.com page has had 234,757 page views.
  • FEMA Corps teams were instrumental in spreading the word about assistance throughout the affected areas and worked alongside FEMA regulars in the Joint Field Office in Centennial. More than 300 FEMA Corps members helped survivors in responding to and recovering from the disaster.

County-by-county Breakdown of State and Federal Grants

Adams County

Housing Assistance

$1,095,674

 

Other Needs Assistance

$127,796

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$1,223,470

 

 

 

Arapahoe County

Housing Assistance

$3,141,538

 

Other Needs Assistance

$284,001

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$3,425,539

 

 

 

 Boulder County

Housing Assistance

$31,498,946

 

Other Needs Assistance

$2,075,738

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$33,574,684

 

 

 

Clear Creek County

Housing Assistance

$200,715

 

Other Needs Assistance

$2,674

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$203,389

 

 

 

El Paso County

Housing Assistance

$1,487,676

 

Other Needs Assistance

$180,202

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$1,667,878

 

 

 

Fremont County

Housing Assistance

$53,733

 

Other Needs Assistance

$1,950

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$55,683

 

 

 

Jefferson County

Housing Assistance

$1,497,170

 

Other Needs Assistance

$34,640

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$1,531,810

 

 

 

Larimer County

Housing Assistance

$5,756,594

 

Other Needs Assistance

$354,049

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$6,110,643

 

 

 

Logan County

Housing Assistance

$476,822

 

Other Needs Assistance

$42,875

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$519,697

 

 

 

Morgan County

Housing Assistance

$77,319

 

Other Needs Assistance

$8,292

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$85,611

 

 

 

Weld County

 Housing Assistance

$8,530,529

 

Other Needs Assistance

$1,460,654

 

Total State/FEMA Assistance

$9,991,183

 

 

 

After the Deluge:

The floods triggered a massive combined State and federal effort to support first responders, protect life and property and minimize environmental damage. At the request of Governor John Hickenlooper, President Obama signed the Major Disaster Declaration, authorizing FEMA to support the State and local responses and to begin recovery work.

The State Emergency Operations Center was activated on Sept. 12 to provide support and technical assistance to local communities.

The Colorado National Guard, joined by the Wyoming National Guard and other aviation assets from the Army, evacuated more than 3,700 people and more than 1,000 pets in flooded communities. Access trails were cut around sites made impassable by the floods. The Department of Defense supplied 21 helicopters for search-and-rescue operations staffed by the Colorado National Guard, the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, and the Wyoming National Guard. Hundreds of survivors were airlifted to safety. Buckley Air Force Base opened its gates as a staging area for FEMA equipment and supplies.

Five FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams under the direction of local public-safety officials walked door-to-door, checking on thousands of residences in the flood zones to assure that those who wanted to be evacuated were given the opportunity and the means to leave.

FEMA dispensed nearly $9 million in federal mission assignments for life-saving and life-sustaining assistance in support of State and local first-responders. 

Other partner agencies used their technology to measure and monitor flood data. The U.S. Geological Survey dispatched flood-response crews to assess and report flood-flow information needed by federal, State and local agencies to forecast the magnitude and timing of the rising waters and to coordinate flood-response activities such as closing dams and identifying evacuation zones. After the event, the USGS flagged high-water marks in hazardous locations and addressed safety concerns in areas where landslides occurred.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, under a mission assignment from FEMA, worked on water systems in the flooded areas to ensure Coloradans had safe drinking water and to maintain the integrity of the wastewater systems.

Long-term Recovery

State and federal entities – including the Colorado Division of Homeland Security  and Emergency Management and FEMA, along with the appropriate mission-dedicated components of the State and federal governments – brought to bear several programs to deal with the aftermath of the event and help Coloradans to get back on their feet.

On the long road to recuperation, the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator and the State Disaster Recovery Coordinator are working with public and private partners at the federal, State and local levels to identify unmet needs as well as traditional and innovative resources that can be used to support rebuilding. Coordinating agencies represented in FDRC include the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Commerce.

FEMA’s focus is now turning toward seeing that counties and communities adopt full charge of their recovery work as the Agency takes a closer look at long-term needs. To be accomplished effectively, these endeavors will take time, but will ultimately result in a safer and more resilient Colorado. 

See the original article here:  

Colorado Flooding – 100 Days Later

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