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How FEMA Flood Maps Helped a Man Evacuate Safely

BATON ROUGE, La. – FEMA flood-insurance rate maps identify areas subject to flooding and establish various zones in a community on which to base premiums. But they can do something else: help first responders, government officials and others prepare for an oncoming deluge.

It was these maps that kept an older gentleman from being trapped during the floods of August. William Wilson grew concerned as the rains fell heavily in the area around his southern Louisiana home, between the Amite River and Jones Creek. Wilson’s son, Houston landscape architect Kirk Wilson, routinely uses FEMA flood maps in his work. He knew the maps might be critical in assessing his father’s looming problem.

“My dad called to tell me that local authorities expected the Amite to crest at 46 feet, higher than the devastating 1983 flood, and he feared his home would be inundated.”

Kirk Wilson, who vividly remembered the devastating ‘83 floods from his childhood, shared his father’s concerns. He told his dad to go online to the Louisiana State University’s AgCenter’s online map center. They studied the maps, with Kirk guiding his father through the data by phone.

He explained to his father how to determine his property’s Base Flood Elevation (commonly called BFE). Once they had that number, the Wilsons looked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s projections for the rising waters. “So we estimated the crest would be 36 feet, two feet higher than dad’s BFE,” said Wilson.

Wilson warned his father that while the house itself might not be in danger, his evacuation routes would almost surely be under water. A small, narrow bridge over Jones Creek was William’s only route to higher ground. Kirk told his father he was certain the bridge would be flooded and impassable, urging him to get out as soon as possible. The elder Wilson took the advice. The floodwaters lapped up just short of the house; the bridge was swamped.

Anyone can call FEMA’s Map Information Exchange and talk to an expert (877-336-2627, open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., EST). The specialist will explain the basics of reading and interpreting maps. The website is www.msc.fema.gov/portal. The LSU AgCenter website is www.lsuagcenter.com (scroll down to “flood maps”).

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How FEMA Flood Maps Helped a Man Evacuate Safely

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Berkeley County to Help South Carolina Flood Survivors

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two disaster recovery centers are open in Berkeley County to help South Carolina flood survivors. The centers, one in Goose Creek and the other in Huger, are open

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

The new centers are located at 303 N. Goose Creek Blvd. in Goose Creek and at the Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services No. 7 at 1501 Recreation Road in Huger.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at the centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans. They can also help survivors apply for aid.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive state/federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

To register, go online any time to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

Additional disaster recovery centers are open in affected South Carolina counties. For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4241.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Berkeley County to Help South Carolina Flood Survivors

FEMA Provides Federal Funds to Help Fight Blue Creek Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Blue Creek Fire, burning in Walla Walla County, Wash.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Blue Creek Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on July 21, 2015, at 12:10 a.m. PDT. This is the second FMAG approved in the state of Washington this fire season.

The fire started on July 20, 2015, and at the time of the request, the fire had burned approximately 3,000 acres including one home and threatened 150 more primary residences. Additionally, the Blue Creek and Mill Creek watersheds were being threatened along with six bridges, various roadways and electrical utilities. The fire was moving northeast toward the Black Snake Subdivision. Evacuation orders were in place with 50 residents staying at a Red Cross Shelter at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds.

Firefighting resources on scene includes federal, state, and local personnel, three helicopters, 32 engines, and two dozers. The principal fire advisor confirmed the threat to the community and homes due to favorable burning conditions and extreme fire behavior. The fire was zero percent contained.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant 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 Blue Creek Fire

Texas Receives More Than $1.1 Million for Repairs Following the 2013 Halloween Flooding

DENTON, Texas – The state of Texas has received more than $1.1 million for repairs to roads and other facilities in the aftermath of the 2013 Halloween flooding.

Overflow from Onion Creek damaged Falwell Lane in Austin, washing away parts of the asphalt road, shoulders and slope embankments and other infrastructure at seven different locations.

Of the total funding, which is made possible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program, $925,076 covers necessary repairs at those sites, as well as measures to mitigate against future damage.

In Travis County, the flooding from Onion Creek caused damage to and the accumulation of mud, silt and other types of debris within multiple water control facilities. These facilities are constructed to serve as a buffer during periods of heavy rain, reducing the amount and intensity of storm water runoff that would otherwise occur.

The FEMA PA funding, $187,776, covers repairs at the Howard Lane Detention Pond, the Northeast Metro Park Storm Water Outflow and the Gattis School Road Detention Pond, as well as measures to mitigate against future damage.

To date, FEMA has obligated more than $10.1 million in Public Assistance funding in relation to the 2013 Halloween floods.

The funding represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Texas; the state then disburses the grant to the eligible applicant.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6, and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Texas Receives More Than $1.1 Million for Repairs Following the 2013 Halloween Flooding

Disaster recovery going strong 10 months after flooding

Almost 10 months ago, heavy rains brought flooding, landslides and mudslides to several counties along Colorado’s Front Range. Since that time, nearly $449 million in grants, reimbursements, low-interest loans and insurance payments to individuals, businesses and communities has been approved by the State of Colorado, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

In all, Individual Assistance was extended to 11 counties, while 18 counties were eligible for Public Assistance. The counties receiving IA were Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, El Paso, Fremont, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan, Morgan and Weld. The counties designated for PA were Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Crowley, Denver, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington and Weld.

Ten months later, FEMA and the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator continue to work closely with the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Colorado Recovery Office. Going forward, the FDRC will continue to manage the coordination of recovery programs with other federal agencies as well as on-going FEMA recovery programs.

A few milestones from the Colorado flood disaster:

• One month after the disaster, more than $60 million dollars was in the hands of survivors to help with the cleanup and rebuilding of their homes and lives. One hundred days after the disaster, more than $204 million was helping survivors recover.

• 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.

• Transitional Sheltering Assistance was activated Sept. 22 to house applicants in 177 hotels. That program closed Dec. 15 after sheltering a total of 1,067 households. Following TSA, the housing mission provided 54 Manufactured Housing Units to house 47 households. Twenty-three households have vacated 27 units since the onset of the program.

• Nearly 54 percent of Public Assistance permanent repair work and more than 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.

• Public Assistance worked closely with state and county officials not only to reimburse for repairs or replacement of infrastructure, but also to remove hazards from streams. PA also implemented new Alternative Procedures (PAAP) pilot program created by the Sandy Recovery and Improvement Act to streamline the reimbursement process for permanent repairs to or replacement of disaster-damaged infrastructure.

Federal assistance and obligations by county:

Adams

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $1,111,231

Other Needs Assistance: $136,457

Total IA Assistance: $1,247,688

Small Business Administration Assistance:

Homeowner Loans: $1,634,200

Business Loans: $80,500

Total SBA Assistance: $1,714,700

Public Assistance: $6,092,859

Arapahoe

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $3,279,187

Other Needs Assistance: $295,250

Total IA Assistance: $3,574,437

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $3,769,300

Business Loans: $252,800

Total SBA Assistance: $4,022,100

Public Assistance: $2,205,031

Boulder

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $32,868,721

Other Needs Assistance: $2,307,482

Total IA Assistance: $35,176,203

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $50,300,100

Business Loans: $14,430,600

Total SBA Assistance: $64,730,700

Public Assistance: $82,041,560

Clear Creek

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $244,111

Other Needs Assistance: $2,674

Total IA Assistance: $246,785

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $142,200

Business Loans: $29,600

Total SBA Assistance: $171,800

Public Assistance: $1,134,005

Crowley

Public Assistance: $239,576

Denver

Public Assistance: $2,405,472

El Paso

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $1,578,069

Other Needs Assistance: $194,261

Total IA Assistance: $1,772,330

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $1,785.900

Business Loans: $370,100

Total SBA Assistance: $2,156,000

Public Assistance: $7,186,433

Fremont

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $59,352

Other Needs Assistance: $1,950

Total IA Assistance: $61,302

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $45,400

Total SBA Assistance: $45,400

Public Assistance: $799,341

Gilpin

Public Assistance: $448,147

Jefferson

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $38,442

Other Needs Assistance: $1,561,089

Total IA Assistance: $1,599,531

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $2,662,600

Business Loans: $450,000

Total SBA Assistance: $3,112,600

Public Assistance: $7,692,622

Lake

Public Assistance: $156,570

Larimer

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $6,547,742

Other Needs Assistance: $396,376

Total IA Assistance: $6,944,118

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $9,053,400

Business Loans: $11,265,000

Total SBA Assistance: $20,318,400

Public Assistance: $49,302,684

Lincoln

Public Assistance: $96,737

Logan

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $491,539

Other Needs Assistance: $42,875

Total IA Assistance: $534,414

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $1,312,100

Business Loans: $179,200

Total SBA Assistance: $1,491,300

Public Assistance: $590,548

Morgan

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $82,381

Other Needs Assistance: $8,292

Total IA Assistance: $90,673

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $65,400

Total SBA Assistance: $65,400

Public Assistance: $3,403,673

Sedgwick

Public Assistance: $20,618

Washington

Public Assistance: $277,783

Weld

Individual Assistance

Housing Assistance: $8,676,604

Other Needs Assistance: $1,502,403

Total IA Assistance: $10,179,007

Small Business Administration Assistance

Homeowner Loans: $9,541,600

Business Loans: $1,179,400

Total SBA Assistance: $10,721,000

Public Assistance: $17,918,448

Statewide Agencies

Public Assistance: $31,220,892

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Disaster recovery going strong 10 months after flooding

FEMA Rebuilding Specialists to Provide Advice in Tupelo-Saltillo Area

JACKSON, Miss. – Rebuilding or repairing property damaged from the recent severe storms? Residents in the Tupelo-Saltillo area can get advice on building safer and smarter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Mitigation specialists from FEMA will be at Home Depot in Saltillo to offer information on rebuilding after a disaster. The advisors can answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage and offer tips to build hazard-resistant homes.

FEMA officials estimate that every dollar spent on mitigation saves almost four dollars if another disaster hits.

Homeowners and contractors can learn more at:

Home Depot

1074 Cross Creek Dr.

Saltillo, Miss. 38866

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tues., July 1 – Thurs., July 3 and Sat., July 5

The specialists will not be at the store on Friday, July 4.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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FEMA Rebuilding Specialists to Provide Advice in Tupelo-Saltillo Area

FEMA Awards $1,643,411 Grant to Pearl City: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish 23 flood prone structures

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released $1,643,411 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Pearl City, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of 19 residential and four commercial structures located in the floodplain of Yellow Creek.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “The acquisition of these homes and businesses permanently removes the structures from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“Approval of this grant is good news for Pearl City and its residents who have been devastated by flooding many times in the past,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “The grant will enable people and businesses to move out of the floodplain and avoid future heartache and property losses when Yellow Creek surges over its banks.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay $1,643,411 or 75 percent of the project’s total cost. Pearl City will contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $547,804.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

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FEMA Awards $1,643,411 Grant to Pearl City: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish 23 flood prone structures

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

Know your risks to make informed decisions

OAKLAND, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District to update flood hazard risk information. FEMA released preliminary flood maps that will help community officials, individuals and business owners identify known flood risks. When finalized, the maps will be used for flood insurance, land use, and development decisions. The revised maps are digital, incorporating the latest technology to identity flood risk based on detailed engineering models, decades of rainfall, storm gauge information, and current topographic data.

The preliminary flood maps propose changes to portions of San Antonio Creek, Reeves Creek, Thacher Creek, and McNell Creek near the city of Ojai and Ventura County. Flood hazard information on the preliminary maps will reflect an overall decrease in special flood hazard areas (SFHA) or high risk areas. Although there is an overall decrease of flood risk, it is important individuals and business owners review the preliminary flood maps to determine risks and make informed decisions.

Individuals and business owners who believe the proposed flood maps contain errors will be able to submit appeals by providing scientific or technical information through their community officials to FEMA. Once all appeals are resolved, FEMA will make any necessary updates to the study and notify community officials. Floodplain administrators in each community have copies of the maps available for public viewing.

Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States. Homeowners, renters and business owners are encouraged to look at the preliminary flood maps to become familiar with flood risks in their community. These flood maps can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures. For more information about flood insurance or to find a local agent, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

For questions about flood maps, visit http://msc.fema.gov, call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627) or email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Vallejo Waterways

Latest study reveals increased flooding risk for some Bay Area Waterways

OAKLAND, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the city of Vallejo, Calif. to update flood hazard risk information. FEMA has released preliminary flood maps that will help community officials, local individuals and business owners identify known flood risks. When finalized, the maps will be used for flood insurance, land use and development decisions. The revised flood maps are digital, incorporating the latest available technology to identify flood risk based on detailed engineering models, decades of rainfall and storm gauge information, and current topographic data.

Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States, so individuals and business owners near Chabot Lake, Blue Rock Springs Creek, Lake Dalwigk, Lemon Street Canal, Magazine Street Canal, Miller Ditch, and Rindler Creek and tributaries are urged to look at the preliminary flood maps to become familiar with flood risks. These flood maps can help make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures.

If individuals and business owners believe the preliminary flood maps contain errors, they may submit appeals by sharing scientific or technical information through their community officials for FEMA review. Once all appeals are resolved, FEMA will make any necessary updates and notify community officials of any further changes. Floodplain administrators in each community have copies of the maps available for public viewing.

For more information about flood insurance, premium estimates or to find a local agent, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

For specific questions about flood maps and FEMA’s flood hazard mapping program, call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-6267), email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com or visit http://msc.fema.gov.

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Vallejo Waterways

Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today, the deadline to apply for disaster assistance in both Cleveland and Creek counties is being extended to Wednesday, Nov. 21.

“We want to make sure that all eligible residents have enough time to apply for assistance,” said State Coordinating Officer and OEM Deputy Director Michelann Ooten. “The two counties were not declared at the same time. That is why we are extending the deadline.”

“We hope this additional time will ensure that every one in Cleveland and Creek counties affected by the wildfires has an opportunity to register for state and federal assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III of FEMA. “We want to be sure to reach all wildfire survivors who still need help.”

Nov. 21 will be the last day for residents to apply for state and federal disaster assistance to help them recover from the Aug. 3-14 wildfires This deadline also applies to homeowners, renters and businesses submitting applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Residents with computers or smartphones may apply or track their status online at; www.disasterassistance.gov, or web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app, or if they prefer, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the wildfires, can apply for an SBA disaster loan after registering with FEMA by going online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; calling 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits for their uncompensated physical disaster losses (homes, personal property and business assets). For small businesses and most private nonprofits, SBA disaster loans are available to cover working capital needs caused by the disaster, whether or not the business suffered physical damage.

To date, more than 750 residents of Cleveland and Creek counties have applied for assistance. Nearly $9.8 million in federal assistance has been distributed in Cleveland and Creek counties to help residents with their recovery efforts.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov. Information can also be accessed via smartphone at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app.

Follow the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement. FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

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