FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents to be Prepared for Tropical Storm Karen, Follow Direction of Local Officials

FEMA Recalling Certain Furloughed Employees

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga. and Denton, Texas is monitoring the conditions of Tropical Storm Karen and staying in close coordination with officials in Gulf Coast states.

“Gulf Coast residents in potentially impacted areas should take steps now to be prepared and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “FEMA will continue to support our state and local partners as they prepare for any potential impacts.”

Based on applicable legal requirements and consistent with its contingency plan, FEMA has begun to recall 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. This morning, FEMA re-activated the Hurricane Liaison Team that is embedded with the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

FEMA is in close coordination with state and local partners through its regional offices. At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States, including in the Gulf Coast region, that are available to state and local partners if needed and requested.

According to the National Weather Service, a hurricane watch is currently in effect from Grand Isle, La. eastward to Indian Pass, Fla. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issues 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm-force winds.

A tropical storm watch is in effect from west of Grand Isle, to east of Morgan City, La; metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area – generally within 48 hours.

Gulf Coast residents are encouraged to:

Listen to the instructions of local officials. Local officials make decisions on sheltering in place or going to your pre-designated safe meeting location.

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.

Stay up-to-date with the latest forecast. Follow local radio and TV reports, as well as forecasts from the National Weather Service, weather.gov.

For more information on preparing for hurricanes and other disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov on the Internet. 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.

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

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FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents to be Prepared for Tropical Storm Karen, Follow Direction of Local Officials

FEMA Mitigation Outreach July 2 through July 7

AURORA, Ill. – Individuals who sustained storm damages can gain valuable information about repairing and rebuilding their damaged property in a stronger, safer and smarter way by visiting one of the FEMA mitigation teams located at home improvement centers throughout the area.

The mitigation teams will be available at three area home improvement centers Tuesday, July 2 through Sunday, July 7, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mitigation outreach will not be available on Thursday, July 4.

The locations of the centers are:

Cook County

Home Depot

2850 Patriot Blvd.

Glenview, IL 60139

 

DuPage County

Home Depot

295 E. Army Trail Rd.

Glendale Heights, IL 60139

 

Lake County

Menards

6401 Grand Ave.

Gurnee, IL 60031

 

Individuals and families in 33 counties whose dwellings were damaged in the severe storms of April 16 to May 5 should register with FEMA for federal and state assistance that may be available.

They 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.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

The deadline to register is Tuesday, July 9.

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 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

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FEMA Mitigation Outreach July 2 through July 7

President Declares Emergency for North Dakota

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the State of North Dakota to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from flooding beginning on April 22, 2013 and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (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 Cass, Grand Forks, Pembina, Richland, Traill, and Walsh counties.

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.

Gary R. Stanley has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

Follow FEMA online at http://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.

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

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President Declares Emergency for North Dakota

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.      

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.

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.

Continue reading – 

Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Receives $1 Million to Rebuild Research Complex

FEMA offers Free Advice On ‘Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter’

TRENTON, N.J. — Visit your area home improvement store to get free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage. Specialists from Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

  • Elevating or anchoring utilities.
  • Eliminating mold and mildew from your home.
  • Using flood- and wind-resistant building methods.
  • Understanding flood insurance.

FEMA specialists are available daily from Tuesday, Jan. 22, to Saturday, Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following home improvement stores:

  • Atlantic County –
    • Home Depot, 421 E. Absecon Blvd., Absecon, NJ 08201    
    • Home Depot,  6 Tower Ave., Egg Harbor Township , NJ 08234                
  • Hudson County –
    • Lowe’s, 400 Bayonne Crossing Way, Bayonne, NJ 07002
    • Home Depot, 440 Route 440, Jersey City, NJ 07302
  • Middlesex County –
    • Home Depot, 1090 Route 9 S., Old Bridge, NJ 08857
  • Monmouth County –
    • Home Depot, 3700 Highway 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730
    • Home Depot, 310 Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
  • Ocean County –
    • Lowe’s, 1375 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753 
  • Union County –
    • Home Depot , 977 W. Grand St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202

For additional information, visit fema.gov/SandyNJ and click on “Mitigation 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.

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.

Credit: 

FEMA offers Free Advice On ‘Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter’

Free Expertise On Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter

TRENTON, N.J. — Getting free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage is as easy as visiting your local home improvement store. Specialists from FEMA will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property in future disasters.

This free service also offers information and publications about home improvement, such as:

  • Mold and mildew cleanup.
  • Flood- and wind-resistant building methods.
  • Wind straps.
  • Flood insurance.
  • Retrofitting buildings.
  • Elevating utilities.

FEMA specialists are available daily Jan. 5 to Saturday, Jan. 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following home improvement stores:

  • Atlantic County – Home Depot, 6 Tower Ave., Egg Harbor 08234.
  • Cape May County – Lowe’s, 3171 Route 9 S., Rio Grande 08242.
  • Essex County – Home Depot, 399-443 Springfield Ave., Newark 07103.
  • Hudson County – Home Depot, 440 Route 440, Jersey City 07302.
  • Middlesex County – Home Depot, 1090 Route 9, Old Bridge 08857.
  • Monmouth County – Home Depot, 3540 Route 66, Neptune 07753.
  • Ocean County – Home Depot, 197 Route 72 W., Manahawkin 08050.
  • Ocean County – Home Depot, 1900 Shorrock Road, Lakewood 08701.
  • Union County – Home Depot, 977 W. Grand St., Elizabeth 07202.

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 original article: 

Free Expertise On Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter

Deadline Approaching for Tropical Storm Debby SBA Loan Applications

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Tropical Storm Debby survivors should turn in their low-interest disaster loan applications before the Sept. 4 deadline.

Survivors are encouraged to submit their applications regardless of financial condition. A loan does not have to be accepted if one is offered. However, survivors who receive loan applications must complete and return them to be eligible for other forms of assistance, such as FEMA grants that do not have to be repaid.

Disaster loan outreach centers are open until Thursday, Aug. 30, for survivors with questions regarding disaster assistance at the Hernando County Mining Association/Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd. in Brooksville and Trouble Creek Square, 4444 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Survivors may obtain information on low-interest disaster loans from the SBA by calling
800-659-2955 or by visiting www.sba.gov. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-877-8339.

Applicants can sign up for Tropical Storm Debby recovery updates via email by going to www.fema.gov/disaster/4068 and clicking the subscription link. It’s a simple process that only requires a valid email address. During signup, subscribers can choose to receive updates immediately, daily or weekly.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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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Original post – 

Deadline Approaching for Tropical Storm Debby SBA Loan Applications

Brooksville, New Port Richey Disaster Recovery Centers Transitioning to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The disaster recovery centers in Brooksville and New Port Richey will transition to disaster loan outreach centers operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration Monday, Aug. 20.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who visit the center can talk with SBA representatives about low-interest disaster loans, get help filling out loan applications and submit completed applications. Federal Emergency Management Agency staff will also be there to answer questions about FEMA registration and disaster assistance.

A disaster recovery center typically meets the more immediate concerns of storm survivors, while a disaster loan outreach center focuses on funds needed for long-term rebuilding and recovery.

Disaster recovery center hours will remain 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Saturday, Aug. 18. They will be closed this Sunday.

The disaster recovery centers will transition to disaster loan outreach centers Monday, Aug. 20, and remain at the Hernando County Mining Association/Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd. in Brooksville and Trouble Creek Square, 4444 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey. The hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday until further notice.

Completing and submitting SBA disaster loan applications is important because it may pave the way for additional FEMA assistance. There are valid reasons for applying, even if you think you won’t need or won’t qualify for a loan.

  • SBA can offer temporary loans to help cover immediate expenses until an insurance claim is settled.
  • SBA can offer loans with terms of up to 30 years and interest rates as low as 1.9 percent to homeowners and renters.
  • SBA disaster loans can be used by a homeowner to repair or replace their primary residence.
  • Homeowners and renters can replace damaged household contents and vehicles with SBA disaster loans.
  • Business owners can apply to SBA for disaster loans for physical damages and/or economic losses.

Survivors and businesses may apply online at SBA’s secure website https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY) or online at www.sba.gov.

Help is always available by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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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Brooksville, New Port Richey Disaster Recovery Centers Transitioning to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

President Declares Disaster For Minnesota

President Declares Disaster For Minnesota 

Release Date: July 6, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-060

» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms And Flooding

» En Español

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available for the state of Minnesota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of June 14-21, 2012.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in the counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake, Meeker, Pine, Rice, Sibley, St. Louis, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Indian Tribes within the State.

Mark A. Neveau has been named 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 state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Jul-2012 18:35:35

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President Declares Disaster For Minnesota