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FEMA Urges Residents to Continue Monitoring Conditions as Tropical Storm Approaches Gulf Coast

Heavy Rains and Flooding Possible in Some Areas

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its national response coordination center in Washington, D.C. and its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas remains in close coordination with states potentially affected by Tropical Storm Karen. According to the National Weather Service, tropical storm conditions are expected along areas of the Gulf Coast as early as this afternoon and into Sunday.

“Residents along the Gulf Coast are encouraged to continue to monitor local conditions and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “As the storm continues to move toward land, residents may begin to experience strong winds and flooding. Remember that conditions can change with little or no notice.”

Based on applicable legal requirements and consistent with its contingency plan, FEMA has recalled currently furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency that protect life and property as they prepare for potential landfall of Tropical Storm Karen.

FEMA has recalled staff necessary to deploy four incident management assistance teams (IMAT), including a national incident management assistance team (IMAT), to potentially affected states. Each IMAT is supported by its defense coordinating element staffed by the Department of Defense. Liaison officers are currently positioned in emergency operations centers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to assist with the coordination of planning and response operations. Additional teams are on standby and available for deployment as needed and requested.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate spoke with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Florida Governor Rick Scott, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant this week about ongoing efforts to prepare for Tropical Storm Karen. Fugate reiterated that Gulf Coast states have the full support of FEMA and the rest of the federal family in advance of the storm making landfall. Fugate’s calls were preceded by outreach from FEMA’s Regional Administrators to emergency management officials in potentially impacted states.

According to the National Weather Service, a tropical storm warning remains in effect from Morgan City, La. to the mouth of the Pearl River. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. Also, a tropical storm watch remains in effect for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain and from east of the mouth of the Pearl River to Indian Pass, Fla. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours.

Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips for Potentially-affected Gulf Coast areas:

Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.
History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly, so FEMA encourages coastal residents to monitor weather conditions and take steps now to get prepared for potential severe tropical weather.
Tropical storms can bring high winds and heavy rains, so listen to local officials and follow their instructions.

FEMA, through its regional offices in Chicago, Ill and Kansas City, Mo., also is monitoring the storms affecting and potentially affecting areas of the Central U.S., including portions of Iowa and Nebraska, and has been in touch with state and local officials. FEMA deployed a liaison to the emergency operations center in Nebraska and activated an incident management assistance team (IMAT), positioning the team for immediate deployment should assistance be requested by the states affected. FEMA continues to stand ready to support the states, as requested.

For more information on preparing for hurricanes, severe weather and other natural disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov. Information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster can also be found at m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app from your smartphone’s app store.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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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FEMA Urges Residents to Continue Monitoring Conditions as Tropical Storm Approaches Gulf Coast

Local, State, Tribal and Federal Partners Assessing Flood Damage in New Mexico

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 6 office, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and county, local and tribal officials are assessing damage in the aftermath of recent severe storms and flooding in the state.

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are the first step for a state or tribe in determining whether or not to request a presidential declaration. Assessments were already conducted for storms that hit the state in late July where teams looked at public infrastructure damage only. The current assessments include review of damages to both residences and community infrastructure from September storms.

During the assessments, the teams collect estimates of the expenses and damages such as the following:

• Amount and type of damage;
• Threat to public safety and people’s health;
• How many people may be displaced and for how long;
• Extent of insurance coverage;
• Extent of business losses;
• Extent of infrastructure damages;
• Impact to critical facilities;
• Cost of emergency workers’ overtime;
• Need for debris removal;
• Damage to roads, bridges or public facilities;
• Additional data from the American Red Cross or other local voluntary agencies may also be reviewed.

The governor’s office and tribal leaders review the results of the joint assessments and then decide whether the damage is beyond state, tribal and local recovery capabilities. The findings could then be used by Governor Susana Martinez or the tribal leaders to support a request for a Presidential declaration. The request for a presidential declaration is then submitted in writing by the governor to the president through FEMA’s regional office. In this request, the governor or tribal leader certifies that the combined local, county, tribal and state resources are insufficient to meet the emergency situation and that the situation is beyond the state’s recovery capabilities.

The request is reviewed at FEMA’s regional and national level. A number of factors are considered:

• Local response efforts, including labor and state/local assistance programs;
• Assistance from other sources – federal, state, charitable, volunteer, private sector;
• Private insurance availability;
• Impact on public health and safety;
• Impact on state and local financial resources;
• State and local involvement in recent disasters;
• Implementation of hazard mitigation and other corrective measures.

FEMA provides the president with an analysis of the situation and a recommended course of action.

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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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the R6 Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/region-vi/region-6-preparedness

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Local, State, Tribal and Federal Partners Assessing Flood Damage in New Mexico

Louisiana Recovery: Eight Years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

NEW ORLEANS – In the continued recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided nearly $19.6 billion to help Louisiana’s communities and families rebuild and protect their property against future hazards.

“Since 2005, FEMA has remained committed to Louisiana’s post-Katrina and Rita recovery. In the last eight years, we have funded one of the most significant comebacks in the history of natural disasters. This would not have been possible without the strong partnerships we share with our state and local recovery partners,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Executive Director Mike Womack.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program assists in rebuilding disaster-damaged public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, publicly owned utilities, schools, police and fire departments and healthcare facilities. FEMA has provided approximately $11.9 billion in public assistance funding to 1,849 Louisiana applicants for their Katrina and Rita recovery projects.

“In the past year alone, parish governments have held more than 50 groundbreaking and ribbon cutting events related to Katrina and Rita projects. These celebrations highlight the hard work and commitment that spurs the progress being made every day in Louisiana,” said Womack. “Our new, online photo essay at www.fema.gov/la8year offers a glimpse at some of the major, completed projects in local parishes.”

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program helps communities rebuild stronger and smarter by providing grants for projects that are designed to save lives and protect properties. Specifically, in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA has made more than $1.86 billion in HMGP funding available to the state of Louisiana.

Regarding individuals and families, after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, hundreds of thousands of Louisiana residents needed help rebuilding their lives. To aid these residents, FEMA provided approximately $5.8 billion in Individuals and Households Program grants to 915,884 individuals and families statewide. These dollars were used as housing assistance for rent, repairs and replacement housing, as well as other needs assistance for such things as furniture, clothing and replacement vehicles.

FEMA also housed more than 92,000 households in travel trailers, park models and mobile homes across Louisiana to combat the largest housing shortage ever seen in the agency’s history. Units were located on private properties, at industrial sites, in commercial mobile home parks and across 111 FEMA built and maintained group sites throughout the state. The last temporary housing unit was vacated last year in 2012.

For more information about Louisiana’s recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita and to view the 8^th Year Photo Essay, visit www.fema.gov/la8year.

All data is as of Aug. 22, 2013.

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.

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.

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Louisiana Recovery: Eight Years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Public Assistance Added to Illinois Disaster Declaration

AURORA, Ill. – The state of Illinois was notified Thursday afternoon that 24 counties are eligible for Public Assistance as part of the federal disaster declaration for severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding during the period of April 16 to May 5, 2013.

FEMA approved Governor Pat Quinn’s request to make public assistance available in the following Illinois counties: Adams, Bureau, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McHenry, Mercer, Ogle, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Warren and Woodford.

This announcement means that the cities, counties, and certain private nonprofit organizations can be reimbursed for eligible costs incurred after severe storms and flooding that occurred April 16 to May 5. Categories of eligible work that may be funded by FEMA are debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair or replacement of roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreational facilities.

Public assistance is a cost-sharing program with FEMA paying 75 percent. The remainder is the responsibility of the state and local governments.

The May 10 major disaster declaration already includes the Individual Assistance program – financial assistance for homeowners and renters – in 33 Illinois counties, including: Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Clark, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Pike, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford.

Federal Hazard Mitigation funding for the entire state was included in the original disaster declaration on May 10.

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: 571-408-1835

Public Assistance Added to Illinois Disaster Declaration

Eight Additional Illinois Counties Added to Disaster Declaration

AURORA, Ill. – Illinois residents in eight additional counties who were affected by the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 are now eligible to register for federal disaster assistance.

FEMA approved Governor Pat Quinn’s request to add Brown, Calhoun, Clark, Douglas, Henry, Pike, Whiteside and Winnebago counties to the major disaster declaration issued May 10.

This brings the total to 33 counties in the Illinois disaster declaration for severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5. Previous counties designated under the declaration are

Bureau, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Will and Woodford.

Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary rental assistance, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information, visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116

The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

SBA low-interest disaster loans may be available for homeowners, renters, businesses and private non-profit organizations of all sizes to repair or replace real estate, contents and/or personal property damaged in the severe storms and flooding. Information and assistance from SBA is available at 1-800-659-2955, (TTY) 1-800-877-8339 or online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Eight Additional Illinois Counties Added to Disaster Declaration

More Illinois Counties Added to Disaster Declaration

More Illinois Counties Added to Disaster Declaration

CHICAGO – Illinois residents in 14 additional counties who were affected by the severe storms and flooding in April are now eligible to register for federal disaster assistance, state and federal officials announced today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Governor Pat Quinn’s request to add Bureau, Crawford, Henderson, Knox, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties to the major disaster declaration issued May 10.

This brings the total to 25 counties in the Illinois disaster declaration for severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5. Previous counties designated under the declaration are Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will.

Illinois Emergency Management Teams and FEMA continue to assess damage and help residents begin their recovery.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 1-800-621-3362.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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More Illinois Counties Added to Disaster Declaration

New Director Named for FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson has selected Thomas “Mike” Womack as the new Director for FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office (LRO).

As LRO Director, Womack oversees FEMA’s recovery operations in Louisiana for hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.

Womack joined FEMA in 2012. Prior to that, he served in the Army National Guard for nearly 30 years. He also served as the Response and Recovery Director and then Deputy Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Former Governor Haley Barbour appointed Womack Executive Director of MEMA in 2006, where he served until 2012.

“Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position and to the Louisiana Recovery Office,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are fortunate to have him and I am confident that he will continue to enhance our relationship with Louisiana and its great citizens as we move forward with the recovery efforts in the state.”

“I look forward to working closely with our state and local partners,” said Womack. “The FEMA LRO remains unwavering in its commitment to Louisiana’s full recovery.”

Womack officially started the job on May 5. He assumes the duties from William J. Doran III, who served as LRO Interim Director since November 2012.

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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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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New Director Named for FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office

President Expands Emergency Declaration for Texas to Include Assistance to Individuals

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that, in line with the request from the Governor of Texas, the emergency disaster declaration for the State of Texas, declared on April 19, 2013, has been expanded to allow individuals and households affected by the explosion in McLennan County, access to Individual Assistance grants.

The President’s action makes housing and other assistance available to eligible individuals in McLennan County. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs; medical, dental, and funeral expenses; and personal property, transportation and other forms of assistance to help individuals recover from the effects of the disaster.

Today’s announcement further supports the response efforts previously approved to assist with emergency work to protect lives and property, public health and safety.

Individuals who sustained losses as a result of the explosion in McLennan County can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362.

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. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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President Expands Emergency Declaration for Texas to Include Assistance to Individuals

Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Receives $1 Million to Rebuild Research Complex

NEW ORLEANS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced more than $1 million in recovery aid to build a new Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Fish Lab and Fish Lab Complex, which were destroyed during Hurricane Rita.

The Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 76,000 acres in Cameron and Vermilion parishes and is noted as one of the most biologically diverse wildlife areas in the nation. The Refuge was also home to a biological research complex, where staff and biologists studied the American alligator, fish, plants and waterfowl populations.

“The Grand Chenier complex plays an integral role in the pioneering research performed at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “Through FEMA’s assistance, the state will be able to reverse the damage done by Hurricane Rita and build back this complex in a more resourceful manner.”

Hurricane Rita’s storm surge, high winds and flooding destroyed the Refuge’s Grand Chenier biological research complex of buildings, owned by Louisiana Facility Planning and Control and operated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Rather than rebuild each facility back to its pre-disaster condition, the state decided to pursue a more efficient design, consolidating the buildings and moving them northwest of the original location.

Six of the buildings destroyed by Rita—a fish lab, fish lab boat shed, chemical storage building, alligator incubator shed, alligator storage shed and freezer storage shed—will be consolidated into three new buildings. The final blueprint calls for a 5,460-square-foot fish lab and an alligator incubator shed, both elevated on pilings 13 feet above base flood elevation, as well as a boat shed. Funding for the consolidated structures also comes from an alligator pump house, trappers camp and airstrip, all of which will not be rebuilt.

To date, FEMA has obligated approximately $18.8 million in public assistance funding for Hurricane Rita-related recovery work at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. This figure includes the recent $1 million in funding.

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.

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Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Receives $1 Million to Rebuild Research Complex

FEMA, MEMA Extend Helping Hands To Students, Staff At USM

PURVIS, Miss. – On the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi, a table was set up this week in the lobby of the R.C. Cook Student Union. Behind it sat folks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, its state counterpart MEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and a FEMA Corps young adult. They were there to bring the message to students and faculty about the help available to those affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding.

The Disaster Information Station came to be at the urging of USM alumni Governor Phil Bryant (class of ’77) and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny L. Dupree (class of ’96). The governor asked FEMA and MEMA to reach out to the students and staff at the school who might not have the time or means to seek assistance otherwise.

“We were so excited to be able to bring our partners on campus to make sure the entire USM family is being taken care of,” said MEMA Director Robert Latham. “The university has been very proactive from the start and we appreciate its efforts.”

“We will continue to staff the station as long as there is a need,” he said.

“The Disaster Information Station on the USM campus underscores FEMA’s dedication to the whole-community nature of our mission,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles. “We want to make sure all those affected by the storms get the help they deserve.”

The station opened for business on Monday morning, Feb. 26 and is currently set to remain open through Friday, March 1. About 25 students and staff showed up on that first day and learned how to register for assistance and what FEMA aid might be available.

Many of these students get around by bicycle. Some lost their cars, or their living quarters were hit, or their personal belongings were damaged or destroyed.

“Most of these young people could not get to a regular FEMA Disaster Recovery Center,” Quarles said, “So we brought a little version of a DRC to them.”

FEMA Corps member Reilly Bean, who had been deployed to Nassau County in New York for Hurricane Sandy before coming south, was able to give advice and guidance to some of his Generation-Y contemporaries.

Not all the visitors on Monday were looking for help. Some were offering it, looking for ways to pitch in. The people manning the station were able to direct them to volunteer organizations in Hattiesburg.

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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FEMA, MEMA Extend Helping Hands To Students, Staff At USM

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