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Fire Departments in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Receive Millions in FEMA Preparedness Grants

DENTON, Texas — Fire departments in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas have been awarded more than $7.5 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Gravel Ridge, Arkansas Fire Department received $208,350; the Lafayette, Louisiana Consolidated Government Fire Department received more than $1.7 million; the Bloomfield, New Mexico Fire Department received more than $1 million; and the Fort Worth, Texas Fire Department received nearly $3.4 million. All of these fire departments will use the funding to boost hiring efforts for firefighters. The Vinita, Oklahoma Fire Department received $830,792, which it will use for recruitment and retention.

The federal grants are part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants program. SAFER awards provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase the number of trained, front line firefighters available in their communities.

“These grants are crucial for communities, especially for the fire departments,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The funding helps ensure that there are enough first responders to protect lives and property.”

For more information on the SAFER Grant program, visit http://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants.

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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Fire Departments in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Receive Millions in FEMA Preparedness Grants

Snow Now Means Water Later: Are You Ready?

CHICAGO – Just a few inches of water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to your home. A flood insurance policy could protect you from the devastating out-of-pocket expenses caused by flooding.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. A policy takes 30 days from application and payment to go into effect. And a typical homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover floods.

“Snow thaw and the potential for heavy spring rains heighten the flood risk throughout our area in the coming months,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “A flood insurance policy is the best option to protect your home from the costly damage floodwaters can cause.”

Just last April, many Illinois communities were under water after more than six inches of rain fell in two days, causing localized and riverine flooding throughout the state and damaging thousands of homes and businesses. Today, with less than 50,000 flood insurance policies in force statewide, a large majority of the more than 5 million Illinois homes remain uninsured against flood damage.

FEMA recommends that all Illinois residents visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 to learn how to prepare for floods, how to purchase a flood insurance policy and the benefits of protecting your home or property investment against flooding. You can also contact your insurance agent for more information.

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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Snow Now Means Water Later: Are You Ready?

FEMA Awards $2,576,475 Grant to Village of Hinsdale: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to floodproof Graue Mill Condominium Complex

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released $2,576,475 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the Village of Hinsdale, Ill., for the proposed Graue Mill Condominium Complex stormwater improvement project.

The project includes installing several berms and backflow valves, elevating existing floodwalls, improving storm sewers and creating a new stormwater detention pond.

“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 completion of this project will reduce flood damage and lessen the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“After the spring floods last year, this project was redesigned to provide protection against the higher floodwaters that were experienced,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “When complete, this project should provide much-needed peace of mind to residents who have been affected by flooding in the past.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay $2,576,475 or 75 percent of the project’s total cost. The Graue Mill Homeowners Association will contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $858,825.

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

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FEMA Awards $2,576,475 Grant to Village of Hinsdale: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to floodproof Graue Mill Condominium Complex

New York University, NYU Langone Medical Center, SUS-Mental Health receive FEMA grants

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Public Assistance grants to New York University, NYU Langone Medical Center and Services for the UnderServed (SUS)-Mental Health Program to reimburse costs for damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

New York University has been awarded more than $1 million in funding. The grant covered a variety of needs including ensuring students’ safety, protection of campus data, temporary generators and a fuel oil tank.

NYU Langone Medical Center has been awarded $2.8 million to repair or replace damaged equipment that supported research functions for the Smilow Research Center.

Services for the UnderServed-Mental Health Program, Inc., an eligible private nonprofit human services agency, received more than $2 million in Public Assistance grants to repair a 71-bed residence facility that supports rehabilitative services for people who have a mental health condition and a history of homelessness.

For Hurricane Sandy, FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations 90 percent of eligible costs for emergency and permanent work. So far, FEMA has awarded $2.4 billion in Public Assistance grants to eligible New York applicants.

To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New York, visit: fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.

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

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New York University, NYU Langone Medical Center, SUS-Mental Health receive FEMA grants

FEMA supports recovery efforts in Evans

DENVER – Since the September 2013 floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided nearly $6.6 million in Individual Assistance to Evans residents and obligated more than $1.4 million in Public Assistance to the City of Evans. At the same time, the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided more than $3.6 million in low-interest loans to 46 Evans homeowners and nine business owners.

As a part of its outreach to the citizens of Evans, FEMA Individual Assistance has provided:

Transitional Sheltering Assistance for 65 households
More than $1 million in Other Needs Assistance for nearly 200 households
Nearly $4.9 million in repair and replacement money for 248 households
More than $634,000 in rental assistance for 336 households
Manufactured housing units for 25 households
Maximum grants of $31,900 to 133 households

FEMA Public Assistance has obligated $1,437,928 for seven projects in Evans, including major road repairs and emergency measures to protect lives and property. The state and local share is $479,309, bringing the total of $1,917,237.

Projects that have been obligated include:

Repairs to sections of Brantner Road, Industrial Parkway, 40th Street, 49th Street, Trinidad Street, Salida Court, and several other roads
Overtime pay for city workers during the flooding, and salaries and lodging for a city-hired team of disaster response experts

Six additional City of Evans project worksheets are in process for a total of $2,967,313. (Federal share: $2,223,579) This includes

Repairing extensive damage to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and at least $1 million for debris removal and repairs to Riverside Park

Funding for repairs to the Riverside Park athletic fields, playground equipment, walking trail, parking area and other facilities

In addition to the monetary assistance offered to the City of Evans:

FEMA Public Assistance meets weekly with Evans Public Works employees and has set up an office in the Evans City Hall.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program specialists as well as the state NFIP coordinator and state mapping coordinator met with the City of Evans to discuss floodplain management and the city’s recent adoption of the Weld County Preliminary Maps. The State and FEMA will continue to work with city officials by providing additional training and technical assistance to support their floodplain management program.
FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons are working with Recovery Groups such as Weld Recovers to address the unmet needs of not only the citizens of Evans, but Weld County as well.
FEMA senior leadership held meetings with the City of Evans to discuss the Riverside Recreation area, a landfill discovered in the Riverside area, and two mobile home parks within the city.

Although not all of the city’s needs can be addressed by FEMA programs, Tom McCool, FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer, said in a letter addressed to Evans City Manager Aden Hogan, “I regret I do not have the authority to support all of Evans’ needs, but that does not mean every member of the FEMA team here in Colorado is not fully invested in bringing every resource the Stafford Act authorizes to bear in support of Evans.”

FEMA and the SBA have also provided assistance to the rest of Weld County. Including the assistance to Evans, Weld County has received:

More than $10 million in Individual Assistance, including nearly $7.5 million for repair and replacement money for 757 households
Maximum grants of $31,900 to 146 households in Weld County.
Transitional Sheltering Assistance for 106 households
Manufactured housing units for 30 households
More than $1.1 million in rental assistance for 636 households
Nearly $1.5 million in Other Needs Assistance for 342 households
Nearly $10 million from the SBA including more than $8.7 million in low-interest home loans and nearly $1.2 million in business loans in Weld County
Nearly $4.5 million in obligations from FEMA Public Assistance, including:
- More than $3.2 million in road and bridge repairs
- More than $900,000 in protective measures
- More than $240,000 in public utility repairs
- More than $22,000 in debris removal

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FEMA supports recovery efforts in Evans

FEMA Federal Regional Center Marks 50 Years of History

DENTON, Texas –Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 marks the 50^th anniversary of what began as an underground facility designed to survive a nuclear war and provide for the continuity of U.S. government operations. The Federal Regional Center (FRC) was constructed between 1961 and late 1963 on 20 acres in Denton.

The FRC has been operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency since the agency came into being in 1979. Before that, it was operated by the Office of Civil Defense and Emergency Planning, one of FEMA’s predecessor agencies.

Plans were made in the late 1950s to ensure the survival of the U.S. government in the event of a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. Part of those plans called for construction of fallout shelters for federal officials around the country.

The first of five such centers was constructed in Denton, Texas. The FRC was designed to be self-sufficient for 30 days, and was equipped with a water well, kitchen, food for 300-500 people for 30 days, a dining room, decontamination room, infirmary, diesel generators and a 30 day supply of diesel for the generators

Besides staff with the Civil Defense and Emergency Planning Office, representatives from other government agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area worked in the facility in the early days. These agencies included the Federal Communications Commission, the Commerce Department, Department of the Interior and the Treasury Department.

A group of visionary Denton business and community leaders, including Bill Utter, Roy Appleton and Riley Cross, organized a drive to buy the land for the facility and donated it to the federal government. They foresaw the economic benefits of having the center in Denton.

Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson supported the project in the early days, and continued to support it when he became vice president. President John F. Kennedy made the final decision to build the facility in Denton.

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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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FEMA Federal Regional Center Marks 50 Years of History

FEMA Awards $351,066 Grant to Villa Grove: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish nine flood prone structures

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $351,066 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Villa Grove, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of eight residential structures and one public building located in the floodplains of the West Ditch and Embarras River.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “This acquisition 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.”

“This project will build on other successful flood mitigation projects we’ve done in Villa Grove, which was once one of the most flood-prone areas in eastern Illinois,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $468,088 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $117,022 will be provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/fema, twitter.com/femaregion5, 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.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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FEMA Awards $351,066 Grant to Villa Grove: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish nine flood prone structures

FEMA Urges Residents Across the South and Southeast to Prepare for Severe Winter Weather

Residents Should Follow the Direction of Local Officials

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is closely coordinating with states potentially impacted by severe winter weather across the southern United States. FEMA, through its regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, and Denton TX, and its National Watch Center in Washington, D.C. as well as its federal partners, including the National Weather Service, continues to closely monitor the severe winter weather currently impacting the South and Southeast, and forecasted to move up the Eastern Seaboard.

Today, President Obama declared an emergency for 45 counties in the State of Georgia, at the request of Georgia Governor Nathan Neal, authorizing FEMA to support the state in its efforts to respond to the storm. FEMA has deployed a Federal Coordinating Officer and a liaison to support the state emergency operations center in Atlanta.

FEMA continues to be in close, continuing contact with state, tribal and local partners in potentially impacted areas and stands ready to support its partners, if requested and needed. FEMA has also enhanced staffing at its Regional Watch Center in Atlanta and at its National Watch Center in Washington D.C.

According to the National Weather Service, a major winter storm will impact locations from Texas to the Southeast today before it moves up the Eastern Seaboard on Wednesday. Residents along the path of the storm can find their local forecast at www.weather.gov.

When natural disasters like severe weather strike, the first responders are local emergency and public works personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and private organizations who provide emergency assistance required to protect the public’s health and safety and to meet immediate human needs.

FEMA encourages residents and visitors in the track of the storms to follow the instructions of state, local and tribal officials, and monitor NOAA Weather Radio and their local news for updates and directions provided by local officials. Residents can find trusted sources for weather and preparedness information via Twitter on FEMA’s Social Hub here: http://www.fema.gov/social-hub

Wireless Emergency Alerts are currently being sent directly to many cell phones on participating wireless carrier networks. These alerts are sent by public safety officials such as the National Weather Service about imminent threats like severe weather. They look like a text message and show the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, and the agency issuing the alert. More information on Wireless Emergency Alerts is available at http://www.ready.gov/alerts. Individuals can check with their cellular carrier to determine if their phone or wireless device is WEA-enabled.

Preparing for Severe Winter Weather

FEMA encourages all Americans to visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn more about how to be better prepared and how to protect your family during emergencies.

Get to know the terms that are used to identify winter storm hazards and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued.

A Blizzard Warning is issued for winter storms when the following conditions are expected to last for at least three hours: winds of at least 35 miles per hour with considerable snowfall that reduces visibility to ¼ of a mile or less.
A Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
A Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
A Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.
An Ice Storm Warning is when freezing rain produces a significant and possibly damaging accumulation of ice.
Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.

Avoid traveling by car, but if you must, make sure you have an emergency supply kit in the trunk of your car. FEMA encourages families to maintain an emergency supply kit both at home and in the car to help prepare for winter power outages and icy or impassable roads.

An emergency supply kit should include a three-day supply of food and water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and extra flashlights and batteries. Thoroughly check and update your family’s emergency supply kit and add the following supplies in preparation for winter weather:

Rock salt to melt ice on walkways;
Sand to improve traction;
Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment; and
Adequate clothing and blankets to help keep you warm.

Ensure your family preparedness plan and contacts are up to date and exercise your plan. Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government, and ensure your home and car are prepared for the winter weather.

For more information and winter preparedness tips, please visit: www.ready.gov/winter-weather or www.listo.gov to find out how you can prepare your family for winter storms and other disasters.

Residents Should Follow the Direction of Local Officials

Preparing for Severe Winter Weather

FEMA encourages all Americans to visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn more about how to be better prepared and how to protect your family during emergencies.

Get to know the terms that are used to identify winter storm hazards and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued.

A Blizzard Warning is issued for winter storms when the following conditions are expected to last for at least three hours: winds of at least 35 miles per hour with considerable snowfall that reduces visibility to ¼ of a mile or less.
A Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
A Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
A Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.
An Ice Storm Warning is when freezing rain produces a significant and possibly damaging accumulation of ice.
Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.

Rock salt to melt ice on walkways;
Sand to improve traction;
Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment; and
Adequate clothing and blankets to help keep you warm.

Visit source –

FEMA Urges Residents Across the South and Southeast to Prepare for Severe Winter Weather

President Obama Signs Georgia Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the State of Georgia to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from a severe winter storm on February 10, 2014, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Elbert, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Gordon, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Hart, Jackson, Lincoln, Lumpkin, Madison, Murray, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walker, Walton, White, Whitfield, and Wilkes.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

W. Michael Moore has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.

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.

Federal Tornado Assistance to Illinois Tops $21 Million

SPRINGFIELD, IL – FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration report federal disaster assistance to Illinois tornado survivors affected by the November storms has surpassed $21 million.

In the two months since the Nov. 26 federal disaster declaration, FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program has approved more than $2.5 million in grants to Illinois homeowners and renters for home repairs, rental assistance and grants to replace lost personal items. FEMA grants continue to be approved and assistance continues to flow to Illinois residents.

The SBA reports more than $18.7 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved to help start the Illinois re-building process.

SBA disaster loans are still available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in Illinois. Failure to return the SBA loan application may stop further FEMA grants for some applicants.

The deadline to register with FEMA for possible grants and to return SBA loan applications is Monday, Feb. 3.

Register Online at DisasterAssisance.gov or by phone, 800-621-FEMA (3362). Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

SBA loan applications can be completed at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Call the SBA customer service center with questions at 800-659-2955. People who use TTY can call 800-877-8339. For more information, visit sba.gov.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.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. 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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding 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 uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

FEMA News Desk: 217-522-2080

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Federal Tornado Assistance to Illinois Tops $21 Million

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