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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 27^th anniversary of the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake that took place on October 17, 1989. Two days later, on October 19^th, marks the 25^th 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 27^th and 25^th 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.

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

Disaster Relief Trials Sweep Portland

This Saturday bicycle enthusiasts will test their resourcefulness at the Disaster Relief Trials (DRTs) in Oregon. The event is a competitive cargo bike disaster drill that encourages community preparedness.

Cargo bikes can haul loads weighing 200 pounds or more of food, water and medical supplies. In addition to hauling supplies, cargo bikes provide a transportation option that is more nimble than cars, especially in the aftermath of an earthquake when transportation and fuel infrastructure will be severely damaged.

The DRTs will be hosted by the University of Portland, with checkpoints spread out in a “hub and spoke” style, in which supply routes circle back to the university campus. At each checkpoint, riders will complete challenges such as overcoming a 3-foot barrier and riding over rough terrain to gather critical supplies.

Riders compete at several difficulty levels ranging from “Family,” which includes carrying kids and limited additional cargo for approximately 15 miles, to “Responder,” which includes carrying at least 50 pounds and traveling about 30 miles.

In addition to the Portland event, an event will take place in Eugene, Ore., on the same day. Previous DRTs have taken place in Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Portland DRTs, to be held from noon to 4:30 p.m., will run simultaneously with an Earthquake Information Fair hosted by the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup. Find out more about the DRTs online at www.disasterrelieftrials.com. The event is for cargo bikers and registration is closed, the Earthquake Info Fair is open to the public.

Riders make rows of cargo bikes as they prepare for the Eugene Disaster Relief Trials to begin.

Eugene, Ore., Riders at the 2014 DRT line up their cargo bikes before the race begins. The DRT bring communities together to practice the use of cargo bikes in an emergency situation where roads might not be available.

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Disaster Relief Trials Sweep Portland

FEMA Offers Resources for Property Owners Rebuilding After Disaster

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – FEMA offers a wide range of free resources for Arkansas homeowners who are either rebuilding after the spring storms or preparing for the next time disaster strikes.

FEMA maintains an extensive online library, including bilingual and multimedia resources, which describe the measures contractors or do-it-yourselfers can take to reduce risks to property. FEMA publications can be viewed online and downloaded to any computer.

For rebuilding information, go to www.fema.gov and click on “Plan, Prepare and Mitigate.” There are numerous links to resources and topics including “Protecting Homes,” “Protecting Your Business” and “Safe, Strong and Protected Homes and Communities.” There are also links to information about disaster preparedness.

The decision to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter may save lives and property in a future disaster.

http://www.fema.gov/protect-your-property – offers a comprehensive overview of available publications to help protect your home or business against hazards including earthquakes, fire, flood, high winds and others.

http://www.fema.gov/small-business-toolkit/protect-your-property-or-business-disaster – provides links to resources for protecting your community, your business and places of worship, and offers helpful links like these:

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FEMA Offers Resources for Property Owners Rebuilding After Disaster

One Week Left to Apply for South Napa Earthquake Disaster Assistance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Individuals and business owners in Napa and Solano counties who had damages or losses as a result of the South Napa Earthquake have one week left to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Officials with FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) urge anyone who still needs help to register before the deadline – Dec. 29, 2014.

After serving more than 2,700 homeowners, renters and business owners who had damages from the South Napa Earthquake, FEMA’s presence at the Napa Earthquake Local Assistance Center at 301 1st St. in Napa will conclude at 6 p.m. on Mon., Dec. 29. But help is still available in person, online and over the phone.

Until then, the Local Assistance Center will operate on its existing schedule: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. In observance of Christmas, however, the center will also be closed Dec. 24-26.

Disaster assistance includes grants for homeowners and renters to help pay for rent, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

FEMA offers three ways to register for disaster assistance: log on to DisasterAssistance.gov, screen tap m.fema.gov on a smartphone or tablet, or call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or VRS may call 800-621-3362.

Phone lines remain open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PST) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual phone operators are available in 93 various languages to take registrations, answer questions about disaster assistance, or check the status of an application. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Low-interest disaster loans are also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations. 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 about disaster loans, applicants may call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or (TTY) 800-877-8339, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to file an electronic SBA loan application.

To be eligible for federal disaster assistance, at least one member of a household must be a U.S. citizen, Qualified Alien or non-citizen national with a Social Security number. Disaster assistance may be available to a household if a parent or guardian applies on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen or a Qualified Alien. FEMA will only need to know the immigration status and Social Security number of the child.

Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Social Security Disability Insurance.

For unmet disaster-related needs, the United Way operates 2-1-1 that covers Napa and Solano Counties. Available 24/7 in 150 languages, the Bay Area 211 helpline connects callers with hundreds of programs to help people find food, housing, healthcare, senior services, childcare, legal aid and more.

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For more information on the California disaster recovery, go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4193.

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-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) protects lives and property, builds capabilities and supports our communities for a resilient California. Cal OES achieves its mission by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all hazards and threats.

The SBA 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 Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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One Week Left to Apply for South Napa Earthquake Disaster Assistance

Vallejo Disaster Recovery Center to Close Nov. 25, But Help is Still Available

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After serving more than 283 homeowners, renters and business owners who had damages from the South Napa Earthquake, the Disaster Recovery Center at 1155 Capitol St. in Vallejo will end operations at 6 p.m. on Tue., Nov. 25. But help is still available in person, online and over the phone.

To apply for disaster assistance, register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or VRS may call 800-621-3362.

Phone lines remain open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PT) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to answer questions about disaster assistance and assist applicants who want to check on the status of their applications. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Officials with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and FEMA urge anyone who still needs help to register now, well before the deadline—Dec. 29, 2014.

For face-to-face assistance, applicants may choose to visit the Napa Earthquake Local Assistance Center at 301 First Street in Napa to meet with specialists from FEMA, Cal OES and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The Napa center remains open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays until further notice. The center will be closed Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving.

Disaster assistance includes grants to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

Low-interest disaster loans are also available from the SBA for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations that had damage or losses from the South Napa Earthquake. 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 about disaster loans, applicants may call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or (TTY) (800- 877-8339, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to file an electronic SBA loan application.

For those with unmet disaster-related needs, the United Way operates 2-1-1 that covers Napa and Solano Counties. Available 24/7 in 150 languages, the Bay Area 211 helpline connects callers with hundreds of programs to help people find food, housing, healthcare, senior services, childcare, legal aid and more.

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The Cal OES protects lives and property, builds capabilities and supports our communities for a resilient California. Cal OES achieves its mission by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all hazards and threats.

The SBA 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 Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Originally posted here:

Vallejo Disaster Recovery Center to Close Nov. 25, But Help is Still Available

Take Time to Check for Earthquake Damage

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – When earthquakes occur, some of the damage happens in areas of our homes and businesses that may be nearly impossible to spot without close attention. Residents and business owners in Napa and Solano Counties continue to discover damage from the South Napa Earthquake.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge people in those counties to take time to check for any signs of potential damage and register for assistance as soon as possible.

“Earthquake damage sometimes goes unnoticed,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Steve DeBlasio. “Earthquakes are different from other disasters, because damages can mimic regular wear and tear or be so subtle that they are hard to find at first. A new crack or stuck door, for example, could be the sign of a serious problem.”

Homeowners and renters in Napa and Solano Counties who had damage from the South Napa Earthquake have until Dec. 29, 2014 to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA. Disaster assistance includes grants to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

“Every resident and business should take the necessary time to do a thorough double check for damages of their property,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “It’s important for homeowners and businesses to take advantage of available federal assistance and register as soon as possible.”

Cal OES and FEMA offer the following questions and tips to help everyone spot potential damage:

Exterior Structure:
• Has the house shifted off its foundation? Has it fallen away from the foundation in any place?
• Is the structure noticeably leaning? When looked at from a distance, does it look tilted?
• Do you see severe cracks or openings between the structure and outdoor steps or porches?
• Do you experience seriously increased vibrations from passing trucks and buses?
• Do you see severe cracks in external walls or foundation?
• Are there any breaks in fence lines or other structures that might indicate nearby damage?
• Did you check for damage to ceilings, partitions, light fixtures, the roof, fuel tanks and other attachments to the main frame of the structure?

Chimneys:
• Are there cracks between the chimney and the exterior wall or the roof?
• Are there cracks in the liner?
• Did you find unexplained debris in the fireplace?

Utilities:
• Are power lines to your house noticeably sagging?
• Is your hot water heater leaning or tilted?
• Are all the water connections secure including those for pipes, toilets, faucets?

Interior:
• Are any doors and windows more difficult to open or close?
• Is the roof leaking? Is there water damage to the ceiling?
• Has the furnace shifted in any way? Are ducts and exhaust pipes connected and undamaged?
• Do you feel unexplained draftiness? Are any cracks in the walls, poorly aligned window frames or loosened exterior sidings letting in breezes?
• Has the floor separated from walls or stairwells anywhere inside the house?
• Are there cracks between walls and built-in fixtures such as lights, cupboards or bookcases?
• Does the floor feel “bouncy” or “soggy” when you walk on it?
• Have you checked crawl spaces, stairwells, basements, attics and other exposed areas for signs of damage such as exposed or cracked beams, roof leaks and foundation cracks?

Low-interest disaster loans are also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations that had damage or loss as a result of the South Napa Earthquake. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

To apply for disaster assistance, register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or VRS may call 800-621-3362.

FEMA must verify damages for every application. FEMA inspectors have completed more than 2,600 inspections in Napa and Solano Counties. FEMA inspectors display photo identification badges.

Damage inspections by FEMA are free and generally take 30 to 45 minutes, and they are conducted by FEMA contract inspectors who have construction or appraisal expertise and have received disaster-specific training. Inspectors document the damage by checking the building structure and its systems, major appliances and any damaged septic systems and wells.

If applicants discover additional damage to their property after the inspection takes place, they can request another one by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Additional information on California disaster recovery is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4193.

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The Cal OES protects lives and property, builds capabilities and supports our communities for a resilient California. Cal OES achieves its mission by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all hazards and threats.

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Take Time to Check for Earthquake Damage

FEMA Continues to Inspect Quake-Damaged Homes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors have completed more than 2,000 inspections of homes damaged or destroyed by the South Napa Earthquake. Homeowners and renters in Napa and Solano counties became eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance on Oct. 27 following the presidential declaration for Individual Assistance. FEMA must verify damages for every application.

Those affected by the South Napa Earthquake have until Dec. 29 to apply for disaster assistance. Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for rent, essential home repairs, personal property replacement or other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Damage inspections are free and generally take 30 to 45 minutes. They are conducted by FEMA contract inspectors who have construction and/or appraisal expertise and have received disaster-specific training. Each inspector displays official photo identification.

Inspectors document the damage but do not determine the resident’s eligibility for disaster assistance. They check for damage to the building structure and its systems, major appliances and any damaged septic systems and wells. Residents should tell the inspector about other important losses such as clothing, personal property, medical equipment, tools needed for a trade, and educational materials.

Inspectors then relay this information to FEMA on their handheld tablet, which they call their inspector pad. They use their pads to download work assignments and communicate throughout the day.

Applicants are reminded to keep the contact information on their applications current so an inspector can reach them. To update their information, applicants should call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Contact information can also be updated online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

FEMA procedures for home inspections follow:
• An inspector calls the applicant to set up an appointment at a mutually convenient time and advises the applicant of documentation needed to complete the inspection, such as insurance policies and photo identification.

• The inspector tries a minimum of three times to contact the applicant. The inspector will call at different times on different days in the hope of finding someone at home.

• If attempts to reach the applicant are unsuccessful, the inspector posts a letter on the applicant’s door with a phone number to call for an appointment.

• If applicants have relocated to another area and cannot return for the mandatory damage inspection, they can authorize an agent or proxy to be present on their behalf.

• As part of the inspection process, homeowners will be asked to show proof of ownership, such as a tax bill, deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy showing the property’s address. Renters must show proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. Both homeowners and renters must also be prepared to show a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.

To speed the inspection process, applicants should:
• Make sure their home address number can be easily seen from the road.
• Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.
• Stay in touch with FEMA, which may include telling neighbors where they can be contacted.
• Let FEMA know during the registration process if they need a reasonable accommodation, such as an American Sign Language interpreter, during the inspection.

If applicants discover additional damage to their property, they can request another inspection by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.

Besides the above personnel, residents and businesses may be visited by loss verifiers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, insurance adjustors, and local building officials, as well as others involved in the recovery process. Building officials typically charge fees for permits, though these are sometimes waived after disasters.

FEMA inspectors do not tag dwellings. FEMA inspectors must follow written guidelines to perform inspections on dwellings previously tagged as unsafe to enter or unsafe to occupy by local officials.

For more information on California disaster recovery, go www.fema.gov/disaster/4193.

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FEMA Continues to Inspect Quake-Damaged Homes

Napa, Solano County Residents to Receive Federal Individual, Household Aid Following South Napa Earthquake

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the Major Disaster declaration for the South Napa earthquake will also include the Individuals and Households Program under the Stafford Act. This amendment makes assistance available to help homeowners and renters recover from the earthquake.

“This is a very welcome announcement for those individuals that had their daily lives changed by this earthquake,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “Additional federal resources like this program will be a huge help to everyone impacted, especially those struggling with major damages and limited personal resources.”

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and local, state and Congressional officials requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration as damages caused by the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that shook through most of Northern California mounted. In response, President Barack Obama declared a Major Disaster on Sept. 11. The Major Disaster Declaration allowed for public assistance to be available to state, tribal and eligible governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged during the earthquake. The Individuals and Households Program will provide assistance to residents in Napa and Solano Counties.

“We are glad to be able to assist individual households as well as state and local governments in recovering from this earthquake,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen De Blasio. “We ask those Californians who sustained earthquake damage to get registered as quickly as possible.”

Gov. Brown declared a State of Emergency shortly after the earthquake, whose epicenter was near American Canyon and the City of Napa, and issued an executive order to provide additional financial assistance to local agencies and non-profit organizations.

Individuals who are interested in finding out more information about eligibility for the Individual and Households Program should call or register at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

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Napa, Solano County Residents to Receive Federal Individual, Household Aid Following South Napa Earthquake

Get Ready, Missouri: One Week Until Annual Earthquake Drill

More than 440,000 in Missouri to Participate in Nationwide Drill

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With just one week to go, communities throughout Missouri are preparing for the fourth annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Earthquake Drill, scheduled for October 16 at 10:16 a.m.

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are occurring in more than 45 states and territories — nationwide more than 19 million people are expected to participate in the activity. During the drill, participants simultaneously practice the recommended response to earthquake shaking:

DROP to the ground
Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, or cover your head/neck with your arms, and
HOLD ON until the shaking stops

The ShakeOut is free and open to the public. Participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies and many other groups. See the list of all the participants in Missouri at, www.shakeout.org/centralus/participants.php?start=Missouri. The goal of the program is to engage individuals to take steps to become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.

“Participating in this drill is a quick, simple thing we should all do—at work, at home, alone or with family or co-workers—to prepare for earthquakes,” said Regional Administrator Beth Freeman, FEMA Region VII. “When we practice ‘drop, cover and hold on’ it makes it more likely we will react appropriately during an earthquake and that can and does save lives.”

States participating in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Interested citizens, schools, communities, businesses, etc. are encouraged to visit http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/register to register to participate and receive instructions on how to hold their earthquake drill. On social media, information about the drill is being provided on Twitter through www.twitter.com/CentUS_ShakeOut. In addition, www.twitter.com/femaregion7 and others are tweeting earthquake safety tips and drill information using the hashtag #ShakeOut.

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is being coordinated by Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and its other Member and Associate States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey and dozens of other partners.

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills began in California in 2008 and have expanded each year since then.

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Visit FEMA Region VII online at www.fema.gov/region7. Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femaregion7, 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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Get Ready, Missouri: One Week Until Annual Earthquake Drill

FEMA and Partners Exercising Earthquake Scenarios

BOTHELL, Wash. – Why is there so much activity right now at the FEMA Region 10 office in Bothell?

Partners from the American Red Cross to the Bonneville Power Administration to the U.S. Army, and many others, are joining FEMA for what is known as a table-top exercise, planning for a larger full-scale exercise in March.

A table-top is an exercise in which field and logistics movements are “simulated” – not actually performed – while planning and decision-making proceed as if they are. A similar scenario will play out in late March when many of the same partners participate in a full-scale exercise with real field and logistical activity.

The table-top brings more than 100 people to the Region 10 Response Coordination Center in Bothell through Thursday.

The scenario involves a magnitude 9.2 earthquake and resulting tsunami. Such a quake would be the second strongest in known history, and the largest in known U.S. history. In fact, that largest-ever U.S. quake inspired the scenario; the upcoming full-scale “Alaska Shield” exercise coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964.

The scenario projects the loss of hundreds of lives. Also, it has thousands displaced in an Alaska winter with no power or heat and possibly tens of thousands of buildings damaged. Other problems would include loss of communications and how to moving relief commodities to survivors despite destroyed roads and bridges.

Region 10 Administrator Ken Murphy said of the table-top, “This exercise is important for all of us to work with all of our partners leading up to Alaska Shield, and to make sure that all of our systems are working together smoothly and seamlessly.”

FEMA regularly tests procedures and practices in this way, together with local, state, tribes, and other federal agencies.

Follow the Alaska Shield Exercise at #Akshield and FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion10, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

News Desk: 425-487-4610

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FEMA and Partners Exercising Earthquake Scenarios

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