President Obama Signs Virginia Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Virginia to supplement commonwealth and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Sandy beginning on October 26, 2012, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. 

Donald L. Keldsen has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. 

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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President Obama Signs Virginia Emergency Declaration

Federal Aid Programs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Emergency Declaration

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s emergency disaster declaration issued for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Assistance for the Commonwealth and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
     
  • Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding.

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 are provided for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Federal Aid Programs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Emergency Declaration

President Obama Signs Massachusetts Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to supplement commonwealth and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Sandy beginning on October 27, 2012, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all counties in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. 

Justo Hernández has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. 

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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President Obama Signs Massachusetts Emergency Declaration

Million-Dollar Federal Grant Awarded To Lykens Borough

Million-Dollar Federal Grant Awarded To Lykens Borough 

Release Date: June 20, 2012
Release Number: 4025-144

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A federal grant of more than $1.02 million to stabilize Battling Creek was recently announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

During Tropical Storm Lee, Lykens Borough in Dauphin County suffered severe damage to its gabion basket channel containment walls on both sides of Rattling Creek.  Gabion basket walls are designed to provide bank stabilization and erosion control for the protection of improved property.  The damaged gabion walls will be replaced with a more durable pre-engineered segmented wall utilizing blocks to help protect the embankments and improved property.

The grant represents a 75 percent federal share of the project cost, which totals $1,368,012.  The remaining 25 percent will be paid by the Commonwealth. 

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program, funding is provided to the Commonwealth, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.

FEMA manages the program, approves grants, and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program, and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants, and managing each project funded under the program.

More information on FEMA’s PA program is available at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

To date, more than $90 million has been obligated to the Commonwealth by FEMA under the federal PA program.  There are an estimated 1,700 applicants, with assistance expected to top $200 million.

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.                                               

Last Modified: Wednesday, 20-Jun-2012 10:29:17

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Million-Dollar Federal Grant Awarded To Lykens Borough

FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of Pennsylvania and West Virginia

FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of Pennsylvania and West Virginia 

Emergency preparedness exercise scheduled for the Beaver Valley Power Station

Release Date: June 15, 2012
Release Number: R3-12-10

Philadelphia, PA – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency will evaluate a Biennial Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Beaver Valley Power Station. The exercise will take place during the week of June 18 to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of West Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III. “We will assess state and local emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile emergency-planning zone of the nuclear facility.”

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise in a public meeting at 10:30 am on June 22 , 2012at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, 777 Aten Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108. Scheduled speakers include representatives from FEMA, NRC, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the State of West Virginia.

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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Last Modified: Friday, 15-Jun-2012 14:49:21

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FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of Pennsylvania and West Virginia

FEMA Approves $3.1 Million to Danville Area School District for damages caused by Tropical Storm Lee

FEMA Approves $3.1 Million to Danville Area School District for damages caused by Tropical Storm Lee 

Release Date: June 7, 2012
Release Number: NR-142

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Commonwealth recently provided a $3,176,028.54 grant to the Danville Area School District to repair or replace damaged buildings and equipment to the Danville Middle school caused by the effects of Tropical Storm Lee. The grant represents a 75 percent federal share and a 25 percent Commonwealth share of the project costs.

The school experienced heavy flooding throughout the facility with more than 90,000 square feet flooded extensively throughout the first floor. Floodwaters, which ranged anywhere from six inches to six feet deep, were responsible for extensive damages to the gym/stage floor, wall panels and windows, chalk boards, lockers, doors, 7500 feet of urethane indoor athletic flooring, cabinets, 800 unit metal bleachers, HVAC controls, equipment and pipes, and various other school-related equipment.

More than $1 million of the grant has been allocated for mitigation projects, designed to alleviate future damages to the middle school. In addition, some of the other hazard mitigation projects to be performed include the installation of 48 inch high walls and 76 inch removable gates at each exterior entry/exit doors; removing all vinyl tile flooring and replacing it with epoxy-type floor covering; and the removal and relocation of HVAC units and through-the-brick-wall HVAC vents.

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program, funding is provided to the Commonwealth, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.

FEMA is responsible for managing the program, approving grants, and providing technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program, and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants, and managing each project funded under the program.

To date, more than $65.5 million has been obligated to the Commonwealth by FEMA under the federal PA program. Assistance is expected to top $200 million.

Information on FEMA’s PA program is available at http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

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, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

Last Modified: Friday, 08-Jun-2012 15:18:51

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FEMA Approves $3.1 Million to Danville Area School District for damages caused by Tropical Storm Lee

FEMA Approves Additional $5.5 Million for Property Acquisitions

FEMA Approves Additional $5.5 Million for Property Acquisitions 

Approvals Top $10.7 Million in Last Three Weeks

Release Date: May 24, 2012
Release Number: 4025-141

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene

HARRISBURG, Pa. — More than $5.5 million in additional federal funding has been approved for property acquisitions that will permanently remove flood-prone properties from harm’s way. Additional projects continue to be approved as the application process moves ahead and program requirements are met.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announcement, the funds are being obligated through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Sixty substantially damaged structures located within FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Areas in three Counties will be torn down and demolished as a result of this program. Property owner participation in the program is voluntary with sponsorship through their local municipality.

A summary of the approved projects and the federal cost share includes:

  • Columbia County: $2,838,070
    • Bloomsburg – $1,259,318 – 11 properties
    • Fernville, Hemlock Township -$1,578,752 – 23 properties
  • Lycoming county: $1,325,419
    • Lewis Township – 2 properties
    • Plunketts Creek Townships – 8 properties
  • Wyoming County: $1,368,921
    • Exeter Township – 14 properties
    • Falls Townships- 2 properties

HMGP funding is made available to encourage states and municipalities to take steps that will reduce the impact of future disasters. The funding represents 15 percent of the total federal cost of the response and recovery. An estimated $66 million is expected to be available to Pennsylvania for the property acquisition program as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

An application for a buyout is prepared by local officials with input from the community. The state receives and reviews applications to ensure they meet the acquisition requirements prior to submitting them to FEMA for approval. FEMA then reviews the applications to ensure they are eligible under the program, are environmentally sound, and are a cost-effective use of funds.

Once FEMA gives its approval, the acquisition process begins. The communities purchase the homes, the buildings are removed or destroyed, and the land is cleared. The site is then preserved as open space with no permanent structures in perpetuity.

The project is funded 75 percent by FEMA, with an additional 22 percent from the Commonwealth and the balance from other non-federal sources.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 24-May-2012 10:51:28

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FEMA Approves Additional $5.5 Million for Property Acquisitions

FEMA Approves $1.1 Million for Commonwealth Property Acquisitions

FEMA Approves $1.1 Million for Commonwealth Property Acquisitions 

Release Date: May 16, 2012
Release Number: 4025-140

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene

HARRISBURG, Pa. — More than $1.1 million in federal funding has been approved for property acquisitions that will permanently remove flood-prone properties from harm’s way. Additional projects will be approved as the application process continues and program requirements met.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the funds were being obligated through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Fourteen properties in one Pennsylvania County will be demolished from this program. Property owner participation in the program is voluntary with sponsorship through their local municipality.

A summary of the projects and the federal cost share follows:

  • Wyoming County: $1,187,000
    Tunkhannock Township, 6 properties
    Tunkhannock Borough, 5 properties
    Meshoppen Township, 3 properties

HMGP funding is made available to encourage states and municipalities to take steps that will reduce the impact of future disasters. The funding represents 15 percent of the total federal cost of the response and recovery. An estimated $66 million is expected to be available to Pennsylvania for the property acquisition program as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

“Typically, the funding for home buyouts doesn’t become available until at least 18 months after a major disaster declaration, which in this case, would be around March 2013,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool, “but after Irene and Lee, it was obvious many homeowners needed a permanent solution to repeated flooding as quickly as possible.”

“Getting to the point when funding is initially obligated typically takes a great deal longer than the eight months it has this time.” said Commonwealth Coordinating Office John Forr. “Buyouts involve not just the homeowners, but local, state, and federal officials as well. Everyone sensed the urgency and did their part.”

Forr said county and municipal officials involved in this effort should be commended for their timely efforts to have hazard mitigation plans approved and adopted, which helped move the process along that much faster.

An application for a buyout is prepared by local officials with input from the community. The state receives and reviews applications to ensure they meet the acquisition requirements prior to submitting them to FEMA for approval. FEMA then reviews the applications to ensure they are eligible under the program, are environmentally sound, and are a cost-effective use of funds.

Once FEMA gives its approval, the acquisition process begins. The communities purchase the homes, the buildings are removed or destroyed, and the land is cleared. The site is then preserved as open space with no permanent structures in perpetuity.

“The process saves taxpayers the continuing costs associated with repetitive flooding,” McCool said, “and it saves homeowners a lot of heartache.”

The project is funded 75 percent by FEMA, with an additional 22 percent from the Commonwealth and the balance from other non-federal sources.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 18-May-2012 14:25:25

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FEMA Approves $1.1 Million for Commonwealth Property Acquisitions

FEMA Approves $1 Million for Acquisition Project

FEMA Approves $1 Million for Acquisition Project 

Release Date: May 7, 2012
Release Number: R3-12-007

» 2012 Region III News Releases

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the approval of a grant totaling more than $1million to acquire and demolish six residential structures in the City of Chesapeake, VA .

The proposed grant will acquire and demolish six (6) repetitive loss properties, thereby eliminating damages from future events. Following the demolition and removal of these properties, the land will be deed restricted into open space in perpetuity.

“This grant will provide flood victims and the City of Chesapeake the opportunity to start anew in a community outside the floodplain,” said FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “As the Commonwealth of Virginia submits applications for grant funding, FEMA is committed to supporting its efforts to make communities free from the risks of natural hazards.”

FEMA will pay $1,248,724.48. This amounts to75 percent of the total project costs. This grant is available through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

The HMGP provides grants to States and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. The HMGP is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

The HMGP grant program process is locally driven. Property owners interested in taking steps to reduce risks from future disasters must express their interest to their municipal or county officials. Local officials applying for an HMGP grant must develop a proposal and submit it to their respective State for review prior to it being submitted to FEMA to be considered for funding.

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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

Last Modified: Monday, 07-May-2012 09:48:54

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FEMA Approves $1 Million for Acquisition Project

Recovery Continues With Assistance to Pennsylvania Communities

Recovery Continues With Assistance to Pennsylvania Communities 

Release Date: April 23, 2012
Release Number: 4025-138

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Federal assistance continues to support Pennsylvania’s recovery from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The aid now focuses on supporting whole community recovery and preparing for future disasters.

Disaster assistance to date totals more than one-half billion dollars.

“Our emphasis now is on longer-term solutions,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool. “Important infrastructure is being repaired, and efforts are being made to make communities more disaster-resistant.”

Rebuilding infrastructure
More than $47 million in Public Assistance (PA) funding has been reimbursed to repair or replace taxpayer-owned infrastructure such as roads, bridges, utilities, schools, and similar facilities.

  • There are an estimated 6,000 PA projects from among 1,900 applicants that could result in federal funding of more than $200 million.
  • Of the nearly 3,000 projects completed to date, about 725 have shared more than $3 million in additional funding to lessen the effects of future disasters. The effort is known as mitigation. FEMA is expected to provide more than $30 million in mitigation funding to the commonwealth when all eligible projects are complete.

Long-Term Recovery Committees (LTRC) rely on local volunteers and donations which provide assistance to individuals that helps repair, replace, and rebuild those households whose needs are beyond the legal capacity of government assistance.

These committees have been established for 20 counties: Adams, Berks, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuykill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wyoming, and York.

Providing for the whole community
Long-Term Community Recovery teams have been organized in the hardest-hit areas of the commonwealth. Their objective is to help focus local goals and match the whole community’s efforts with available federal, commonwealth, and community resources.

The community recovery teams have been organized in Shickshinny, Athens, and the Wyoming Valley and Swatara Valley areas.

Other statistics to date:

  • 94,385 persons registered for assistance
  • 83,936 damage inspections were completed
  • $141.8 million in Individual Assistance grants were disbursed:
    • $128.6 million in housing assistance including temporary housing, home repairs, and personal property losses and
    • $13.2 million in dental, medical, and funeral costs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance
    • $18.1 million in maximum grants were awarded to 601 applicants
  • $98 million in low-interest disaster loans were approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration
  • $322 million in claim payments were paid through the National Flood Insurance Program
  • $874,400 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance was distributed
  • Recovery officials continue to transfer residents displaced by the storms from temporary to more permanent housing
    • 249 temporary housing units in nine counties remain occupied

“The strength of the partnership between FEMA and the commonwealth has helped make the best of a bad situation,” said Commonwealth Coordinating Officer John Forr. “Working together effectively has paid off for the residents of Pennsylvania.”

The ongoing recovery efforts continue with 247 FEMA employees and 73 from the commonwealth or other federal agencies. Sixty-five commonwealth residents were hired by FEMA to support the ongoing recovery

  • At the height of the recovery, there were 782 FEMA and 198 commonwealth and/or other federal agency employees working fulltime and overtime
    • Additionally, more than 550 employees of the commonwealth, representing approximately 15 agencies, helped staff the temporary Disaster Recovery Centers. They answered questions on a number of issues, including mental health counseling, driver’s license replacements, emergency food program resources, farm damage, and much more
  • In addition to the Joint Field Office in Harrisburg, temporary FEMA/commonwealth operating facilities were opened in Sayre and Wilkes-Barre

“FEMA remains committed to the commonwealth,” said McCool. “We’ll be here until all available recovery resources have been provided.”

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 24-Apr-2012 09:12:12

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Recovery Continues With Assistance to Pennsylvania Communities

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