WARWICK, R.I.–Americans live in the most severe weather-prone country on Earth, according to The National Weather Service. To raise public awareness of severe weather threats and the importance of being prepared, The National Weather Service and FEMA have designated March 3 to 9 as National Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

Each year, Americans cope with an average of 100,000 thunderstorms, 10,000 of which are severe; 5,000 floods; 1,000 tornadoes; and an average of 2 landfalling deadly hurricanes.  And this on top of lethal winter storms, summer heat, high winds, wild fires and other severe weather.

“Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “We urge everyone to take steps in advance and to pledge to prepare, take action and share what you have done with others.”

We have more information than ever before to let us know when severe weather is approaching. “But this information can save lives and property only if individuals and communities know when and how to take proper action,” said Dr. Louis Uccellini, director of the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service.

You can find a tool kit to help your family be prepared for severe weather at ready.gov/severeweather.

This week find tweets about severe weather preparedness at www.twitter.com/femaregion1. Other resources include http://blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. On Twitter, use the hashtags #ImPrepared and #ImAForce to show you’ve pledged to prepare and are taking the first step in preparing your family and friends for severe weather.

Talk with family, friends and neighbors about preparedness. Other ideas for helping to spread the word: creating a preparedness video and posting it on a video sharing site, posting your preparedness story through your social media network or commenting on a blog. Be a good example and share the steps you took to help us achieve the goal of being a Weather-Ready Nation.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.

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.

 

See more here – 

Be Prepared: Severe Weather Is on the Way

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the Navajo Nation and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by a severe freeze during the period of December 15, 2012 to January 21, 2013.

Federal funding is available to the Navajo Nation and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe freeze.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Tribe. 

Mark A. Neveau has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Neveau said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribe and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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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.

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.

Read this article – 

Federal Aid Programs for the Navajo Nation

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the Navajo Nation and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by a severe freeze during the period of December 15, 2012 to January 21, 2013.

Federal funding is available to the Navajo Nation and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe freeze.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Tribe. 

Mark A. Neveau has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Neveau said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribe and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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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.

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.

Originally posted here:  

President Declares Major Disaster for the Navajo Nation

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisianians know severe weather. In the last six months alone, the state has experienced two federally declared disasters, Hurricane Isaac and the January severe storms and floods.

The week of March 3-9 marks National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges Louisiana residents to add to their existing knowledge as they make themselves, their families and their homes storm ready.

FEMA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have joined together to increase awareness of severe weather and to motivate individuals, families, businesses and communities to take actions that will prepare them to face severe weather. “Be a Force of Nature” is the slogan for this year’s campaign.

“FEMA’s mission includes supporting the nation in bettering its capability to prepare for severe weather and other disasters,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “Initiatives like Severe Weather Preparedness Week help people everywhere learn how they can prepare for the sorts of weather-related hazards they face in their communities.”

Louisiana experiences tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, extreme heat, thunderstorms and hail. Residents can take steps now to reduce the impact of these events on their families, including:

LaHouse Resource Center at Louisiana State University showcases more ways people can safeguard their homes. Click on http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/11415.

To learn more about severe weather, click www.weather.gov and http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/.  For resources in Spanish, click www.listo.gov. Disaster preparedness is featured on www.flash.org.

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Louisiana Observes National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

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

Assistance for Tribal Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  (Source: FEMA funded, Tribe administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

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

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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.

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.

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Federal Aid Programs for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

BATON ROUGE, La. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will receive a $3.7 million federal grant to reimburse some of the costs associated with the delivery of fuel and fuel tanks meant to maintain vital citizen services during and after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Friday.

The department will receive $3,720,547 in Public Assistance grant funds to help cover the costs of fuel distribution to agencies such as Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Transportation and Development, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Correctional Institute for Women. During the storm and subsequent days, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry dispensed more than 375,000 gallons of diesel fuel and more than 67,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline to 14 agencies across the state.

“During and after Hurricane Isaac, the department distributed essential fuel to provide emergency power to keep food supplies safe and run temporary pet shelters,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This distribution offered a vital public service for the citizens of Louisiana.”

The newly awarded funds are a portion of the nearly $223 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana, it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.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.

Source: 

FEMA Awards $3.7 Million to Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. The St. John Parish School Board will receive a $1.2 million federal grant to reimburse transportation costs it incurred because of Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday.

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state. Two public schools in St. John Parish sustained flooding serious enough to close their doors temporarily and students from those schools had to be bused to other locations. The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $1,234,063, helps reimburse the school board for those transportation costs.

“The St. John School Board acted quickly to make sure students remained safe and continued their educations after the storm,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “Reimbursement for those transportation-related expenses supports the schools’ recovery efforts.”

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $222 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Obligates $1.2 Million to St. John Parish School Board for Hurricane Isaac Emergency Measures

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York will be able to visit the disaster recovery centers at the Recreation Center and Ice Arena, 700 Magnolia Blvd., Long Beach, NY, 11561, and at the Freeport Recreation Center, 130 East Merrick Rd., Freeport, NY, 11520 for an extended period of time.

The deadline to register for federal disaster assistance has been extended to Mar. 29, 2013. In light of this extension, the State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will maintain operations at the centers to continue providing necessary assistance to disaster survivors.

Survivors have several ways to register:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
  • By phone, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST seven days a week until further notice.

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.

Link to original:  

2 Disaster Recovery Centers in NY extend operations

TRENTON, N.J. — Disaster assistance to New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy by the numbers as of Feb. 21:

  • $361.7 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
  • $314.1 million for housing assistance
  • $47.6 million for other needs
  • $495.7 in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
  • $169.6 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public
  • $54.6 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
  • 8 million cubic yards of debris have been collected (96 percent)
  • 256,777 people contacted FEMA for help or information
  • 122,643 housing inspections completed
  • 76,036 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers

Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov until midnight March 1. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.

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.

See the original article here: 

New Jersey Recovery From Hurricane Sandy: By The Numbers

TRENTON, N.J. — Hurricane Sandy survivors need to complete the application for continued temporary rental assistance and avoid interruptions of funds for an apartment, house or other temporary home.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency mails forms to survivors receiving temporary rental assistance that must be completed and returned to remain eligible. Survivors can request new forms by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-877-8339 if the original is lost.

Temporary rental assistance may be provided while displaced survivors are working to find a permanent housing solution. Although it is not automatic and available in three month increments, assistance may be available up to 18 months from the Oct. 30, 2012 federal disaster declaration or the program maximum, whichever comes first. That’s why it is important for survivors to develop permanent housing plans. Returning to a permanent home is a significant recovery milestone.

The application for continued rental assistance must be filled out completely, signed and returned along with the following documents:

  • A copy of the lease agreement signed by the applicant and applicant’s landlord
  • Rent receipts showing that the funds have been used for rental assistance
  • A current income statement, such as a paycheck stub or bank statement

Survivors should mail packets to:

FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

They also can fax requests to: 800-827-8112

The registration and disaster numbers should be clearly visible on each page.

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.

More here: 

Stay In Touch With FEMA To Continue Temporary Housing

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