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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s East Peak Fire

DENVER — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the East Peak Fire in Huerfano County.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) immediately upon receiving the state’s request. At the time of the approval, the fire was threatening 250 homes in and around the town of La Veta and Walsenburg and various rural subdivisions and ranches. The fire has destroyed nine structures and four outbuildings on Boy Scout Ranch near Walsenburg, CO and it is threatening the Spanish Peak Hospital and dozens of commercial structures to include infrastructure, utilities, equipment and watersheds in the area.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home 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 Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s East Peak Fire

Emergency Generators Power Town After Sandy Comes Ashore

TRENTON, N.J. – Superstorm Sandy left many thousands of homes, municipal services and emergency service facilities across New Jersey without power.

But Seaside Heights, a Seaside Heights generators Seaside Heights, NJ generators were essential for emergency services during Superstorm Sandy. – Photo by Rosanna Arias Jersey Shore barrier island borough, escaped the massive power outages that most other areas faced because of its three peak-demand generators which had been protected from high water when they were installed.

“Initially, we powered them on to supply electricity for the firehouse, emergency management, the police headquarters and the municipal building,” Seaside Heights Borough Superintendent William Rumbolo said.

Because Sandy’s impact on the borough would be unpredictable, officials began preparations for the storm by having emergency workers and officials go door-to-door encouraging residents to evacuate. As Sandy got closer, officials moved the borough’s fire trucks inland to Toms River to escape anticipated flooding and brought in three army trucks the Office of Emergency Management Coordinator obtained for emergency transportation.

When Sandy came ashore, the storm brought winds that knocked down telephone poles, knocking out power and trapping emergency responders and residents who failed to heed the evacuation warnings.

Emergency responders (approximately 45 firemen and 30 policemen) were able to use the generators to keep electricity going and complete rescue missions.

For three weeks, Seaside Heights used the generators to power the community. “We fired up the generators and made some connections so that we could run the whole town,” Rumbolo said. Borough officials originally proposed the idea of obtaining generators to help reduce the cost of wholesale power during peak demand times.

The three two-megawatt diesel generators and their installation cost the borough nearly $4 million. The generators were initially intended to be used during heavy power use hours, to reduce community power consumption and give the borough a better rate when purchasing electricity.

The borough made the decision to power the generators with diesel fuel in the initial installation, which worked out well during the storm since natural gas – the other option – was unavailable to the island after the storm.

“We were able to truck in diesel fuel and run the generators,” said borough officials. “If these things had been powered by natural gas, we would not have been able to use them.”

Sandy brought flooding to the area but the generators had been installed approximately 43 inches above the ground and one foot above the Base Flood Elevation.

Although Seaside Heights officials did not buy and install the generators primarily to be a backup power source, having them was crucial to keep the town running in the aftermath of the storm.

Officials powered up two hotels in the borough so that the responders and those rescued could have a place to stay. They were also able to power the water main to supply running water throughout the borough.

Having the generators protected from storm surge and fully operational gave the borough the ability to safely house the emergency responders as close to the damaged area as possible enabling them to continue uninterrupted response operations.

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

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

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

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Emergency Generators Power Town After Sandy Comes Ashore

Help is Just a Mouse Click or Smartphone Screen Tap Away

Main Content

Release date:

June 20, 2013

Release Number:

FS 003 DR 4117

Many online resources are available for survivors of the May 18-June 2 severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in Oklahoma. Helpful links include:

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Disaster information is available from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

The State of Oklahoma offers general information for storm survivors

Report fraud to the office of the Oklahoma Attorney General.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department provides insurance information.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance may be available for those who lost jobs or income due to the storms.

Oklahoma VOAD provides information about how to volunteer to help recovery.

OklahomaStrong provides information for those who need or can offer help.

Volunteer lawyers are offering free legal advice to disaster survivors.

FEDERAL

Apply for help from FEMA.

Get Oklahoma disaster information from FEMA.

Find Disaster Recovery Centers for various types of assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.

Rebuilding advice is available from FEMA hazard mitigation specialists.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service provides tax guidance.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides home-repair information.

FEMA is on Facebook.

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Last Updated:

June 20, 2013 – 15:25

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Oklahoma

Related Disaster:

Oklahoma Severe Storms and Tornadoes

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Help is Just a Mouse Click or Smartphone Screen Tap Away

St. Bernard Parish Continues Rebuilding Key Infrastructure with Additional FEMA Grants

NEW ORLEANS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced nearly $13.6 million in additional funding to repair sewage systems, canal crossings and roads in St. Bernard Parish damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

“These projects are a result of the continued partnership between St. Bernard Parish and FEMA,” said Parish President David Peralta. “The additional monies will help fund major infrastructure projects and improve the quality of life for the residents of St. Bernard Parish.”

When Hurricane Katrina hit, parish-owned infrastructure sustained damages from flooding and storm surge. The sanitary sewer system was overburdened from storm debris and flooding of manholes. Canal crossings were inundated and scoured by fast-flowing debris deposits. The base material under paved roads was initially compromised by the flooding, and then further destroyed by heavy trucks and machinery brought in to clear debris.

“Basic public infrastructure throughout St. Bernard Parish was cracked, broken and sometimes left nearly unusable following Hurricane Katrina,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Director Mike Womack. “Repairs and new construction have become a way of life since then – a pathway to our complete recovery. FEMA is committed to working side by side with the state and parish officials to ensure all related costs are covered.”

The recent series of FEMA grants work to continue the repairs to this critical infrastructure, including:

$10.2 million for work on the sanitary sewage collection system;
$2.2 million for roadway repairs, including materials testing and architecture and engineering services;
$697,071 for Dravo force main, a sanitary sewer force on the 40 Arpent Canal Levee; and
$504,840 for Rosetta and Lena canal crossings at 20 Arpent Canal.

FEMA has provided $474 million for water, sewer, roads and bridges in St. Bernard Parish, part of more than $1.8 billion granted to date to the parish for damages caused by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.

Editors: For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/latro.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femalro, blog.fema.gov, 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.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

St. Bernard Parish Continues Rebuilding Key Infrastructure with Additional FEMA Grants

FEMA Continues Disaster Recovery Mission in West, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – In the nearly eight weeks since the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion, the state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have had personnel in West working side by side with local officials and the community to help them recover.

On April 19, 2013, an Emergency Declaration was granted for the explosion in West, Texas providing immediate financial assistance to assist the state in the response. FEMA personnel arrived April 20 to begin preliminary damage assessments of homes and businesses affected by the explosion.

“We have physically been in the City of West since April 20 working alongside survivors, the city of West and McLennan County to maximize our efforts under the current Emergency Declaration,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “There is a lot of work that remains to be done. FEMA in partnership with the state of Texas will have a presence in West as long as needed.”

On May 1, the Emergency Declaration was amended to include the Individual and Households Program. The state and FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in West on May 4 to begin helping survivors with applying for federal disaster assistance. The center transitioned to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center June 3. Since the opening on May 4, the center has received more than 1200 new and repeat visitors.

Even though the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center closed June 13, FEMA personnel including Individual Assistance and Public Assistance specialists will remain at that location to continue to work with survivors. FEMA specialists will be available at the POINTWEST bank to help register survivors, accept and process additional insurance documentation and provide residents with the status of their applications until the registration period ends June 18.

“We are committed to registering every eligible survivor,” Hannes said. “We have registered 789 survivors so far and we are proactively contacting each applicant once again as part of a 100 percent review and outreach initiative. To date, more than $7.6 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for survivors.”

FEMA continues to have personnel in West and in Austin actively working with state and local officials to prepare Public Assistance project worksheets for reimbursement of costs related to emergency protective measures and debris removal authorized under the current Federal Emergency Declaration. “We are working diligently to reimburse the City of West, McLennan County and the State of Texas for expenses incurred while performing life-saving and emergency protective measures immediately following the explosion,” Hannes continued.

More than $1.1 million in Public Assistance funds have been obligated to the state to reimburse agencies that responded to the explosion. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs while the state and/or applicant cover the remaining 25 percent.

Survivors who have not registered with FEMA can do so by going online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The registration deadline is June 18.

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FEMA Continues Disaster Recovery Mission in West, Texas

FEMA Registration Deadline Approaching for West, Texas Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – West, Texas residents affected by the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion are encouraged to register for disaster assistance from the state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before the June 18 deadline.

Survivors can register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

“As we approach the June 18th deadline, we encourage anyone who has not yet registered with FEMA to do so now,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “Even if you think your damages may be covered by insurance, register now and let us determine your eligibility.”

Low-interest disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster.

“Even residents who believe they have complete insurance coverage often find they have a substantial shortfall and need additional financial help,” Hannes continued. “We remain committed to helping West survivors until they have received all the state and federal assistance they are eligible to receive.”

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond FEMA’s June 18 deadline. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

For more information about SBA’s Disaster Assistance, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

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FEMA Registration Deadline Approaching for West, Texas Survivors

$1.5 Million in FEMA Aid Helps Maine with Blizzard Costs

Main Content

Release date:

June 17, 2013

Release Number:

4108-1

$1.5 Million in FEMA Aid Helps Maine with Blizzard Costs

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided $1.5 million to help Maine with costs due to the February 8-9 blizzard. A federal disaster declaration authorized aid for Androscoggin, Cumberland, Knox, Sagadahoc, Washington and York counties.

“This assistance reduces the blizzard’s financial impact on local governments and agencies,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo. “FEMA continues working to assure that all receive the maximum disaster aid we can provide.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses public agencies and certain private non-profits for 75 percent of their eligible costs. For the snowstorm, most of the costs were for emergency response overtime work and for clearing tons of snow from public roads and other public facilities.

Last Updated:

June 17, 2013 – 13:47

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Maine

Related Disaster:

Maine Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding

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$1.5 Million in FEMA Aid Helps Maine with Blizzard Costs

FEMA Releases Preliminary Work Maps for Four New Jersey Counties

TRENTON, NJ – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is releasing preliminary work maps for four New Jersey counties heavily impacted by Superstorm Sandy – Hudson, Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic.

The preliminary work maps for those counties will replace the Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps because they reflect a more precise modeling analysis of current flood hazards, including wave analysis, and a more detailed study of other specific conditions that could affect flood risk.

FEMA is working closely with New Jersey’s local and state officials to provide the most accurate updated flood risk information to those individuals who need it as they make decisions about rebuilding their homes.

Revision of these maps is an ongoing process leading to the final Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The final maps will incorporate previous data and add more details about specific flood risk conditions in communities throughout the state, with a priority placed on those in coastal areas facing the highest risk.

Before Superstorm Sandy struck, FEMA was in the process of updating flood hazard maps for
the New Jersey coast.

Soon after Sandy, FEMA released Advisory Base Flood Elevations which incorporated much of
the information contained in the study already under way.

Because Sandy had reshaped the coastline, not all the earlier information was applicable. The Advisory Base Flood Elevations represented the best information available at the time, and served as a guide for those who wanted to rebuild as soon as possible.

Additional information about the coastal mapping efforts and Hurricane Sandy recovery can be found on the Region 2 Coastal Analysis Mapping website: http://www.region2coastal.com.

# # #

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 Releases Preliminary Work Maps for Four New Jersey Counties

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Vermont Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

June 13, 2013

Release Number:

HQ-13-061 Factsheet

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

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

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

# # #

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

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

June 13, 2013 – 13:10

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Vermont

Related Disaster:

Vermont Severe Storms and Flooding

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Federal Aid Programs for the State of Vermont Declaration

FEMA Releases Preliminary Work Maps for New York City

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released Preliminary Work Maps for New York City that reflect the latest refinements to the ongoing analysis of coastal flood hazards. The release of the Preliminary Work Maps is the next step in the coastal Flood Insurance Study update. The Preliminary Work Maps replace the Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps for New York City that were released earlier this year. Property owners should use these new maps to inform rebuilding and other ongoing construction.

The changes between the Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps and the Preliminary Work Maps released today include a reduction in the area designated as a V-zone (area at risk of experiencing waves greater than 3 feet in height). The new maps are extremely important as FEMA and the City continue to work in partnership to support sustainable disaster resilient communities; and to avoid or reduce the loss of life, loss of property, and financial impacts of coastal flood hazards.

The Preliminary Work Maps are an interim step in the process of developing Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The Preliminary Work Maps precede the Preliminary FIRMs, which upon becoming effective will determine flood insurance rates, though the risks reflected in the two sets of maps will be the same. The Preliminary FIRMs are estimated to become effective sometime in2015. The Preliminary Work Maps and the Preliminary FIRMs that follow will help property owners make decisions about how high to elevate their homes and businesses to reduce their flood risk and potential future flood insurance costs.

New York City’s housing recovery program, NYC Build It Back, will help homeowners impacted by Hurricane Sandy rebuild and meet the new elevation and freeboard standards to reduce their flood risk. Information on that program is available on www.nyc.gov.

As compared to the effective FIRMs for New York City, the Preliminary Work Maps show that the majority of areas will see increases in the floodplain and Base Flood Elevations (BFEs); however some areas may see decreases. These changes are due primarily to more precise ground elevation data and more detailed analysis.

There is an indication that the overall size of the coastal high hazard area will increase in comparison to the effective FIRMs. Estimates indicate that about 2 percent of the New York City land area is subject to high velocity wave action, which is roughly twice the area shown on the current effective FIRMs.

FEMA encourages communities to use this information in instances where BFEs have increased and/or new Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are shown on the Preliminary Work Maps. This will help community members make decisions to reduce their flood risk until the preliminary FIRMs become effective. Please visit www.Region2Coastal.com for more information on the Preliminary Work Maps.

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

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Work Maps for New York City

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