FEMA: $866 Million in California earthquake, fire risk-reduction grants awarded since Loma Prieta, Oakland-Berkeley Hills Fire

FEMA, Whole Community partners work to decrease earthquake, fire risks in Bay Area

OAKLAND, Calif. — This week marks the 27th anniversary of the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake that took place on October 17, 1989.  Two days later, on October 19th, marks the 25th anniversary of the Oakland-Berkeley Hills Fire that killed 25 people, destroyed more than 3,000 homes, and did an estimated $1.5 billion in damage.

Since then, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has leveraged $866 million dollars to support the state of California’s efforts to reduce the risks of catastrophic earthquake and fire.  Federal dollars are leveraged with state funds to provide typically 75% of a projects cost.  In the Bay Area, $201 million has gone to various projects with $448 Million awarded in Los Angeles County.  These funds have been used for seismic retrofit projects, fire risk reduction and flood elevation projects to protect various types of critical infrastructure, including homes, local city governments and public schools and infrastructure. 

In the City of Oakland, FEMA recently approved a $3 million dollar grant for the Safer Housing for Oakland: Soft Story Apartment Retrofit Program that will retrofit 35-50 Oakland apartment buildings.  Also in Oakland, FEMA has approved $3 million for the Earthquake- Safe Homes Program that will retrofit and install seismic safety measures in up to 300 1-4 unit homes located within the City of Oakland.   This year, FEMA also has awarded $6 million dollars in seismic retrofits to the Los Angeles Unified School District and another $4 million in flood mitigation elevations in Sonoma County.   

Examples of some of the types of projects that have been have funded include:

•           $40 million in federal grants has been awarded for city hall seismic retrofits.

•           $171 million in federal grants has been awarded in seismic retrofits of schools.

•           $7 million in federal grants has been awarded for fire-resistant roofing.

•           $83 million in federal grants has been awarded for at risk buildings in the floodplain that were elevated or purchased and converted to open space.

FEMA is only one part of the community that is engaging and developing national, regional, public, and private sector risk reduction.  Several partners throughout the state have taken the call to action through advanced preparedness methods. 

The City of Los Angeles is committed to addressing resilience by strengthening the city’s physical, social, and economic foundations. The City has adopted far-reaching strategies to develop the tools needed to rebound from disasters. Programs like Soft-Story Retrofitting, the new JUMP START 5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness emergency planning tool and NotifyLA making individuals and neighborhoods more resilient against earthquakes for a stronger Los Angeles.

Following the 27th and 25th Anniversaries of the Loma Prieta Earthquake and Oakland Hills Firestorm, respectively; October 20, 2016 is International ShakeOut Day when millions of people worldwide participate in local Great Shakeout Earthquake Drills, at 10:20 a.m local time. Participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups.  To take part in The Great ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to register to participate at www.ShakeOut.org. Once registered, participants receive regular information on how to plan their drill and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.      

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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.

This article: 

FEMA: $866 Million in California earthquake, fire risk-reduction grants awarded since Loma Prieta, Oakland-Berkeley Hills Fire

Second FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Nash County

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina residents who suffered losses and damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew can get information about federal assistance at a disaster recovery center opening Sunday in Nash County. Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Location: The Imperial Centre
270 Gay St.
Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804

Regular hours:

  • Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Representatives from North Carolina Emergency Management, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the disaster recovery center, or DRC, to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors seeking disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to questions about disaster aid and registration assistance. Survivors may go to the most convenient center, not necessarily one in their county.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may also call 800-621-3362 . Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need

    disability-related communication aids. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in American Sign Language at

    http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546

    Second FEMA/State DRC to Opens in Nash County

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. Some of the services available at a DRC may include:

  • Status FEMA application

  • Disaster recovery guidance

  • Clarification of written correspondence received

  • Housing assistance and rental resources information

  • Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance

  • Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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 on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Second FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Nash County

Lubbock County Texas Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas –– New flood maps become effective for portions of Lubbock County on Friday Feb. 3, 2017. Residents are encouraged to examine them so they can determine their need to buy flood insurance. When the risks are known, individuals and community leaders can make informed decisions about building and development.

Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover the effects of flooding. Anyone without flood insurance runs the risk of uninsured losses to their homes, personal property and businesses. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy, or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is a voluntary program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Residents with federal mortgages must have flood insurance if the structures are in flood hazard areas. Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events.

Your local floodplain administrator can tell you if your community participates in the NFIP. He or she can also help you review the new flood maps. “We have to know what our risks are in order to prepare for them,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Floods can happen anywhere.”

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat. 

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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

Credit – 

Lubbock County Texas Flood Maps Become Final

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hillsborough County for Hurricane Hermine

TALLAHASSEE—A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Hillsborough County to help survivors affected by Hurricane Hermine’s severe storms and flooding that severely impacted the state between Aug. 31 and Sept. 11, 2016.

The location of the center is:

                    Keysville Recreation Center

9390 Edison Rd

Lithia, FL 33547

Open Monday – Saturday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed Sundays  

Disaster Recovery Centers serve as one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors seeking one-on-one help. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and various state agencies will be at the center to answer questions Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Closed on Sundays.

FDEM and FEMA officials continue to work closely with local officials in hard-hit areas to identify suitable sites for additional centers. Survivors can also locate the center by visiting the  DRC locator.  Downloading the FEMA App to their mobile device will allow survivors to:

  • Apply for disaster assistance
  • Get directions to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center
  • Find shelter locations
  • Get weather alerts
  • Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille Large Print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number above to receive support.

FEMA encourages survivors to register as soon as possible. Those who may have registered with their county emergency management office, the American Red Cross or other community organizations are reminded to also register with FEMA.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hillsborough County for Hurricane Hermine

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hernando County for Hurricane Hermine

TALLAHASSEE—A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Hernando County to help survivors affected by Hurricane Hermine’s severe storms and flooding that severely impacted the state between Aug. 31 and Sept. 11, 2016.

The location of the center is:

Westside Government Center

                    7405 Forest Oaks Blvd

                    Spring Hill, FL  34607

Open Monday – Saturday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed Sundays    

Disaster Recovery Centers serve as one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors seeking one-on-one help. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and various state agencies will be at the center to answer questions Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Closed on Sundays.

FDEM and FEMA officials continue to work closely with local officials in hard-hit areas to identify suitable sites for additional centers. Survivors can also locate the center by visiting the  DRC locator.  Downloading the FEMA App to their mobile device will allow survivors to:

  • Apply for disaster assistance
  • Get directions to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center
  • Find shelter locations
  • Get weather alerts
  • Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille Large Print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number above to receive support.

FEMA encourages survivors to register as soon as possible. Those who may have registered with their county emergency management office, the American Red Cross or other community organizations are reminded to also register with FEMA.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hernando County for Hurricane Hermine

Federal, State, and Local Teams Continue Assessments in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In response to Hurricane Matthew, joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams continue to document damages to homes, businesses and public facilities that will be used to inform determinations for additional federal disaster assistance.  

PDA teams bring together local emergency management, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA. They visit areas identified by the state to document the extent of damage caused by the hurricane. PDA teams are currently deployed in Flagler and Putnam counties.  Tomorrow, a PDA team will also be in Indian River County to assess infrastructure damage. 

PDA teams document information that includes:

  • concentration of damages;
  • number of primary residences affected;
  • damage to public infrastructure; and
  • amount of insurance coverage.

The information is provided to the state. The teams do not visit every home or business and the PDA process does not guarantee federal assistance. The information is used by FEMA to determine which counties may be eligible for federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance.

Other FEMA teams are canvassing areas hit by Hurricane Matthew in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Brevard counties. They visit homes, businesses, organizations and high-traffic locations in affected areas. They also meet with local officials and community leaders to provide additional eyes and ears to gather information on where damages exist. They report that information back to the PDA teams for further review.

All FEMA personnel carry identification and will not ask for personal information such as a social security number or banking information, and they will not ask for money. Anyone who suspects that someone is trying to impersonate a FEMA worker should call FEMA’s Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or the Florida Attorney General’s consumer protection hotline at    866-966-7226.

For more information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Matthew visit fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog or #FLRecovers.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service). TTY users can call 800-462-7585.

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Federal, State, and Local Teams Continue Assessments in Florida

Disaster Recovery Centers Open For Hurricane Hermine Survivors

TALLAHASSEE—Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in Citrus, Dixie, Levy and Leon counties to help survivors affected by Hurricane Hermine’s severe storms and flooding that severely impacted the state between Aug. 31 and Sept. 11, 2016.

The locations are:

Citrus County

West Citrus Center  
1540 N. Meadowcrest Blvd.
Crystal River, FL  34429

Open Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Sundays.

Dixie County

Lumber Yard Parking Lot
63 NE 132nd Ave.
Cross City, FL 32638

Open Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Sundays.

Leon County

Leroy Collins Library
200 W. Park Ave,
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Open Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
closed Sundays.

Levy County

Inglis Town Hall135 Hwy 40 W.
Inglis, FL 34449
Open Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Sundays.

Levy County

Cedar Key Volunteer Fire Department,
489 First St.
Cedar Key, FL 32625

Open Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
closed Sundays. 

Disaster Recovery Centers serve as one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors seeking one-on-one help. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Division of Emergency Management, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and various state agencies will be at the centers to answer questions.

State and FEMA officials continue to work closely with local officials in hard-hit areas to identify suitable sites for additional centers. Survivors can also locate the center by visiting the  DRC locator.  Downloading the FEMA App to their mobile device will allow survivors to:

  • Apply for disaster assistance
  • Get directions to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center
  • Find shelter locations
  • Get weather alerts
  • Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille Large Print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number above to receive support.

FEMA encourages survivors to register as soon as possible. Those who may have registered with their county emergency management office, the American Red Cross or other community organizations are reminded to also register with FEMA.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery for Hurricane Hermine visit /disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service). TTY users can call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies.

Original source: 

Disaster Recovery Centers Open For Hurricane Hermine Survivors

FEMA Continues to Closely Monitor Hermine and Lester

FEMA Urges Residents in Potentially Affected Areas to Take Direction from State, Local, and Tribal Officials 

WASHINGTON – FEMA, through its regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and Oakland, California, and its Pacific Area Office in Honolulu, Hawaii, continues to closely monitor Tropical Storm Hermine and Hurricane Lester. FEMA remains in close coordination with state emergency managers in Hawaii, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and other potentially impacted Atlantic states, as well as our federal partners at the National Weather Service forecast offices.

Tropical Storm Hermine

According to the National Weather Service, Tropical Storm Hermine is moving north-northeast of Tallahassee, Florida. The center of Hermine will move farther inland across southeastern Georgia today and into the Carolinas tonight and Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin along the Atlantic coast later today, and spread northward through the weekend.

Tropical Storm Hermine may cause localized flooding and flash flooding possible, along with storm surge and tide could produce potentially life-threatening inundation along the Florida Gulf Coast up through the Carolinas. Hermine is expected to produce rainfall totals of five to ten inches over the southeastern. United States from northwest Florida through southern and eastern Georgia. There are possible isolated maximum rainfall amount of 15 inches.

FEMA liaison officers are deployed to emergency operations centers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to help coordinate any requests for federal assistance. A FEMA liaison officer will arrive in the Virginia Emergency Operations Center Saturday morning. A FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) is deployed to the Florida Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee to support response activities and ensure there are no unmet needs.

FEMA’s Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Atlanta, Georgia, is activated to help coordinate any requests for assistance from potentially impacted states and tribes. One FEMA IMAT is deployed to the RRCC to support response activities and ensure there are no unmet needs. Through the National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC), FEMA is actively engaged with national level private sector partners across the nation as businesses also prepare for the storm system threatening the Southeast United States.

Hurricane Lester

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Lester was located about 515 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds were 110 mph. The hurricane is moving west-northwest with gradual weakening expected over the next several days. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Hawaii County, Maui County and Oahu. Hurricane conditions are possible over Hawaii and Maui County Friday night into Saturday, and over Oahu Saturday and Sunday night. Heavy rainfall may affect the Big Island and Maui into Saturday and Oahu Saturday and Saturday night.

FEMA is working with its federal partners at the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C. and the RRCC in Oakland, California, to help coordinate any requests for assistance from Hawaii. These centers bring together partners from the federal family to closely coordinate federal resources that may be requested from the state.

FEMA established a Federal Staging Area in Kona, Hawaii, to pre-position supplies closer to impacted areas, should they be needed and requested by the state, for distribution by state and local officials. 45,000 liters; 2 generators; over 37,000 meals, and other materials are in the Kona Staging Area. One IMAT is on the ground in FEMA’s Pacific Area Office in Honolulu, Hawaii, to support response activities and ensure there are no unmet needs.

An additional IMAT has been placed on alert, and is prepared to deploy to Hawaii if necessary.  Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) personnel and pre-positioned communications caches are deploying to the FEMA Pacific Area Office at Fort Shafter, in Honolulu, to support emergency response communications needs. Through the NBEOC, FEMA is actively engaged with national level private sector partners across the nation as businesses also prepare for the storm systems threatening Hawaii.

Safety Tips

FEMA encourages residents and visitors in areas potentially affected by Tropical Storm Hermine or Hurricane Lester to monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information, and follow the instructions of state, local, and tribal officials.

Storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly, so coastal residents should monitor weather conditions and take steps to prepare their home, family, and business. Those in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for their pets. 

There is the potential for flooding and storm surge with Tropical Storm Hermine and Hurricane Lester. Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous. Nearly half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. Stay safe when in your car, by watching for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges and highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Storm surge poses a significant threat for drowning and can sometimes cut off evacuation routes, so do not delay leaving if an evacuation is ordered for your area.

Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn more about preparing for hurricanes and severe weather.

FEMA made available time lapse footage of the NRCC in Washington, D.C., which can be viewed here:  http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/123252.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

Original article:  

FEMA Continues to Closely Monitor Hermine and Lester

Update: Digital Preliminary Flood Maps for St. Johns County Ready for Public Viewing

Update: Due to Tropical Storm Hermine, the public open house at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall scheduled for 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 1 is postponed until further notice.

ATLANTA, Ga. –Newly revised preliminary digital flood insurance rate maps for St. Johns County and its municipalities will be available for residents to review at public open houses at 4 p.m. on August 31, and at 10 a.m. on September 1. Flood maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding, and when updated maps become effective, they are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.

The open houses provide residents of these coastal areas the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with specialists who will be available to talk about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more.  Home and business owners, renters, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, surveyors and insurance agents are encouraged to attend the open house. 

The open house dates, times and locations are:

August 31, 2016

4:00-7:00 pm

St. Johns County Building Department Permit Center

4040 Lewis Speedway

St. Augustine, Florida 32084

 

September 1, 2016

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

1050 A1A

North Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082

The new preliminary maps were developed through a partnership among the county, its municipalities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are based on updated modeling data and show more accurate flood hazard risk better than older maps. The ultimate goal is protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. Over time, flood risks change due to construction and development, environmental changes, watershed conditions and other factors. Flood maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on buildings that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard homeowners, business owners, and renters’ insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. Flood insurance policies can be purchased from any state licensed property and casualty insurance agent. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 888-379-9531 for more information about flood insurance and to locate a local agent.

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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.

 

Visit source:

Update: Digital Preliminary Flood Maps for St. Johns County Ready for Public Viewing

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Gold Canyon Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Gold Canyon Fire burning in Josephine County, Oregon.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 11:17 p.m. PDT on August 30, 2016.

The fire started on August 30, 2016, and had burned in excess of 120 acres of state and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 105 primary residences in and around the communities of Selma. Level 3 evacuations were issued for approximately 660 people. At the time of the authorization, the fire was zero percent contained.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Oregon’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Gold Canyon Fire

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