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Statement by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013

WASHINGTON – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate released the below statement following the President’s signing of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, which includes a provision to amend the Stafford Act allowing Tribes direct access to federal disaster relief.

“FEMA has strong, long-standing relationships with Tribal governments, and they are essential members of the emergency management team. We commend the efforts of Members of Congress, Tribal leadership and their organizations, the Department of Homeland Security, and the President who have made this change a reality. This legislative change to the Stafford Act will provide federally recognized Tribal governments the option to choose whether to make a request directly to the President for an emergency or major disaster declaration, or to receive assistance, as they do presently, through a declaration for a State. This amendment to the Stafford Act follows on the President’s commitments to Indian Country, strengthens the government to government relationship between FEMA and federally recognized Tribes, and will enhance the way FEMA supports Tribal communities before, during, and after disasters.”

Fully implementing this historic provision will require consultation with Tribes and other stakeholders, particularly as FEMA develops the administrative and programmatic requirements and procedures necessary to execute the law. FEMA will provide interim guidance in the coming weeks explaining how and when Tribal governments may seek declarations, while more comprehensive consultations and administrative procedures are undertaken.

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.

Statement by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013

Notice on National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority: Payments for Claims Related to Hurricane Sandy As Well As Other Major Disasters in…

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), mandated by Congress to administer the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), today notified Congress that without the approval of additional borrowing authority, funds available to pay claims will be exhausted sometime around the week of January 7, 2013.

Supplemental legislation currently under consideration by Congress, based on the Administration’s request submitted to Congress last month and subsequently passed by the Senate in a bipartisan vote, includes $9.7 billion in additional borrowing authority to support the National Flood Insurance Fund to address claims resulting from Superstorm Sandy and other floods. The NFIP continues to pay out claims related to Sandy. To date, nearly 140,000 claims have been made and $1.7 billion has been paid out to survivors.

“FEMA continues to work closely with Write Your Own (WYO) partner companies to meet the needs of survivors and accelerate partial payments for claims,” said Dave Miller, FEMA’s Associate Administrator for the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. “We urge timely congressional action with regard to the pending supplemental to continue to meet survivor needs.”

Payments on more than 115,000 claims in states across the country may be delayed until Congress increases the NFIP borrowing authority. The use of National Flood Insurance Fund monies are being closely monitored based on actual and anticipated claims.

NFIP policies allow up to approximately 90 days after receipt of a claim to make a payment. Upon depletion of borrowing authority, FEMA will work to ensure any available funds, including ongoing premium payments, may be applied to claim payments.

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Notice on National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority: Payments for Claims Related to Hurricane Sandy As Well As Other Major Disasters in…

Resolve to be Ready in Tennessee, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Tennessee, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

ATLANTA — This year was characterized by extremely active and devastating weather events across the country; flooding in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Isaac, wildfires across the Midwest, and Hurricane Sandy which devastated parts of the Northeast and was the second-largest Atlantic storm on record.

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) are encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

“The right time to get ready for any emergency is right now,” said TEMA Director Jim Bassham. “Don’t wait until tomorrow and then decide to get your emergency plans in place. Take the time now to get an emergency kit together so you and your family are ready today for tomorrow’s disaster.”

As we have seen in 2012, including the recent severe weather affecting many parts of the country during the holidays, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones. Resolve to be Ready in 2013 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year.

“Resolve to be Ready is one new year’s resolution you’ll want to keep,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “There are simple steps you can take to prepare for emergencies, such as putting together an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan. Taking these steps will help keep you and your family safe, and could be the most important pledge you make.”

By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, people can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes and businesses. To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to put together a kit and make a plan.

Here are a few important tips to get you started:

Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device. Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:

Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.

Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.

Get Involved. Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.

Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.gov.

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Resolve to be Ready in Tennessee, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

Here are a few important tips to get you started:

Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device. Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:

Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.

Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.

Get Involved. Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.

Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.gov.

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Resolve to be Ready, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

FEMA Continues Outreach on Rebuilding Safer and Stronger

NEW YORK – New Yorkers beginning the rebuilding process will have more opportunities to receive technical information on improvements to protect their homes from future storms.

Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 18, mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at four new area locations to offer guidance on how to build back safer and stronger in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Residents can get advice on safe cleanup measures, repair and building techniques, as well learn more about flood insurance. This information is available to the public and provided at no cost.

FEMA advisors will be available at Home Depot and Lowe’s stores at the following locations:

Bronx County – Home Depot
600 Exterior St, Bronx 10451

Kings County – Home Depot
579 Gateway Dr. Brooklyn 11239

Nassau County – Lowe’s
90 Price Pkwy, Farmingdale 11735

Suffolk County – Home Depot
1550 Old Country Rd, Riverhead 11901

Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18, through Saturday, Dec. 22, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 23.
Every dollar spent on mitigation now saves four times that amount in repairs from the next disaster concluded a Penn State University-led research team in 2006.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.gov. Click on “Plan, Prepare and Mitigate.”

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Continues Outreach on Rebuilding Safer and Stronger

FEMA Urges National Participation in Great Shakeout on October 18

WASHINGTON – In less than two days, more than 13 million people nationwide are expected to participate in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill.

“Earthquakes occur all year long across our country – in a lot of places you wouldn’t expect,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “For the Great ShakeOut, we’re asking everyone to take just a minute out of your day to drop, cover and hold on, and practice what you would do during an actual earthquake.”

Plan now to take part in the drill on Thursday, October 18 at 10:18 a.m., your local time. When an earthquake happens, you only have seconds to react. The best protective action is to “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

DROP to the ground;
Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table; and
HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

If it’s not possible to get to the floor to safely take cover, before the exercise, identify an inside corner of the room near your work station or the other locations you may be in, away from windows and objects that could fall on you. The Earthquake Country Alliance advises getting as low as possible to the floor. People who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices should lock their wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops. Protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book, or whatever is available.

This year marks the first time that southeastern states and jurisdictions will participate in a regional Great Shakeout, just weeks after the one year anniversary of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Mineral, Virginia. Participating states nationwide include: Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington.

ShakeOut participants are supported by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), FEMA and many other local, state, federal and volunteer partners. In February 2012, CUSEC coordinated a similar drill across nine Central U.S. states.

To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, including information for seniors and those with disabilities, visit http://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and can have disastrous and far-reaching effects. Earthquake hazards vary from region to region. To learn more about reducing your risks during an earthquake visit http://www.fema.gov/quakesmart

There are many ways for individuals, households, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, community groups, and others to participate in the ShakeOut. Those interested in participating in the ShakeOut are encouraged to first register online at www.shakeout.org . Once registered, participants will be listed with thousands of other participants, and receive information on how to participate in the drill.

For details on U.S. earthquake information by state and territory, visit http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, 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 .

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FEMA Urges National Participation in Great Shakeout on October 18

FEMA Supports Legislative Change to Allow Tribal Governments to Directly Apply for Federal Disaster Aid

Release Date: June 12, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-042

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate released a letter of support for specific legislation in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives that would allow federally recognized tribal governments to make a request for a federal emergency or disaster declaration directly to the President. In December last year, FEMA announced its support to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow tribes to make a request directly to the President for declarations. Currently, only states and their governors can make such requests.

“Our country’s tribal nations and leaders are an integral part of our national fabric,” said Fugate. “FEMA is committed to supporting Indian Country in its efforts to build resilient communities that are prepared for all hazards.”

Currently, the law states that only the governor of an affected state can request a major disaster or emergency declaration from the President under the Stafford Act. Federally recognized tribes are excluded from making such a direct request for a Presidential declaration and must make a request through the state or states in which they are geographically located.

This process, however, limits FEMA from effectively working with federally recognized tribes on a government-to-government basis. To improve the way we serve and engage the entire community in emergency management, FEMA and the Obama Administration support a legislative change to the Stafford Act that would authorize tribal governments to make requests directly to the President for a federal emergency or disaster declaration. Additionally, FEMA supports a legislative change that would also give tribal governments the option to receive assistance as they do presently, as part of a declaration for a specific state.

Legislative proposals to change the Stafford Act in favor of this amendment have been introduced in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. If passed, such an amendment would acknowledge the right of federally recognized tribes to ask for direct assistance in a major disaster scenario, enhance FEMA’s working relationship with tribal governments, and improve emergency and disaster responsiveness throughout Indian Country.

FEMA affirms its commitment and is actively working with Indian Country and our Congressional partners to support and facilitate the passage of such a change in the law. FEMA Administrator Fugate has conducted listening sessions and has committed to reviewing all existing Agency policies and programs to ensure tribal concerns are addressed. This support for an amendment to the Stafford Act, allowing for direct tribal government emergency and major disaster declaration requests, is a result of the President’s focus on working more closely with tribes on disaster relief.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 12-Jun-2012 13:26:24

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FEMA Supports Legislative Change to Allow Tribal Governments to Directly Apply for Federal Disaster Aid

Disaster Assistance Still Available with FEMA’s Help Line

Release Date: May 11, 2012
Release Number: 4059-066

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Even though there are no longer any state and federal Disaster Recovery Centers open in West Virginia, the FEMA Help Line is still in business. Counties whose residents might be eligible for assistance are Lincoln, Logan, Harrison, Marion, Mingo, Preston, Taylor and Wayne.

For those disaster survivors who have already registered for federal assistance, the Help Line is the place to follow the progress of your case, get answers to questions and help in navigating the assistance process. Just call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week.

The operators can register those with disaster related damages. You can also sign up online at DisasterAssistance.gov. For TTY users, the number is 800-462-7585. With a Web-enabled smart phone or other PDA, log onto m.fema.gov.

“We are ready to help anyone who qualifies,” said Charleston-based FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Deanne Criswell. “Assistance is not dependent on your income or ability to pay. We can provide assistance to whoever is eligible.”

The Help Line has operators who speak a wide spectrum of languages. An applicant does not have to be a U.S. citizen to register as long as he or she is in the country legally.

Those affected by the storms and floods of February 29 through March 5 have until May 15 to register with FEMA for assistance. For those who suffered loss or damage from the flooding of March 15 through March 31, the deadline to register is May 21.

Last Modified: Friday, 11-May-2012 10:55:44

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Disaster Assistance Still Available with FEMA’s Help Line

Get FloodSmart: Protect Now With Flood Insurance

30-Day Countdown to the 2012 Hurricane Season Begins May 2

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-033

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Every year, thirty days from the start of hurricane season, FEMA officials urge U.S. residents to prepare their homes and businesses for the heightened flood risks associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. This year, FEMA is placing more urgency in this message due to the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on May 31, 2012, the day before the 2012 hurricane season begins on June 1st.

The authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program is scheduled to expire on May 31 unless Congress acts in advance to reauthorize it. The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters and business owners. The NFIP identifies areas of flood risk; it encourages communities to implement measures to mitigate against the risk of flood loss; and it provides financial assistance to help individuals recover rapidly from flooding disasters.

“Flood insurance is essential to help protect against the devastating effects of flooding, and the time to act is now,” said David Miller, Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. “As we approach a potentially active hurricane season, FEMA is urging Congress to reauthorize the NFIP and send a clear signal to citizens, communities, and private sector partners that the federal government will continue to support our nation’s efforts to manage flood risk.”

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster to affect every state across the country. Severe weather has already brought significant flood events to many states in the U.S. As we continue to monitor conditions and respond to these events, we must also look forward to summer and hurricane-related weather patterns that will heighten flood risks for many.

FEMA also stresses that flood risks associated with hurricane season extend beyond the Gulf and Southeastern coasts. The largest amounts of rainfall from hurricanes are often produced by slow moving storms that stall out miles from a shoreline as did Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. In addition, last year Hurricane Irene caused major flooding over much of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast when it moved inland, with high winds and torrential rains.

FEMA is urging residents to purchase flood insurance now. Flood insurance is available through more than 85 insurance companies in nearly 22,000 participating communities nationwide. Most everyone can purchase flood insurance – including renters, business owners, and homeowners. Flood insurance is also affordable. The average flood insurance policy is around $625 a year. And in moderate- to low- risk areas, homeowners can protect their properties with low-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) that start at just $129 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 08:45:23

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Get FloodSmart: Protect Now With Flood Insurance

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