Disaster Recovery Centers In Bourbon, Madison and Rowan Counties To Close

 

FRANKFORT, Ky.  – The disaster recovery centers in Madison and Rowan counties will close at 6 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, May 21, and the Bourbon County disaster recovery center will close at 6 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, May 22. 

The centers, which have been operated by the commonwealth of Kentucky and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are located at:

  • 525 High St. (Paris Municipal Service Building) in Paris.
  • 558 S. Keeneland Drive (Madison County Joint Information Center) in Richmond.
  • 314 Bridge St. (Morehead City Administration Building) in Morehead.

After the centers close, help is still available to survivors who suffered losses in Bath, Bourbon, Carter, Elliott, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Rowan and Scott counties during the severe April storms.

Those who need help with applications or appeals can go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline (800-621-3362, 800-462-7585 for TTY or 800-621-3362 for Video Relay Service).

Disaster survivor assistance teams with FEMA Corps members will also be working storm-stricken areas and can help with mobile applications, updates and referrals to additional resources.

Disaster Loan Outreach Center To Open In Madison County

The Madison County disaster recovery center will transition to a disaster loan outreach center on Friday,   May 22.

The disaster loan outreach center will be operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EDT) until May 28. The center, however, will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25.

The loan center focuses on funds needed for long-term rebuilding and recovery. Businesses, homeowners and renters will be able to talk individually with SBA representatives.

Small businesses and most nonprofits with or without physical damage may apply for an economic injury disaster loan, which is a working capital loan to help with disaster-related cash flow problems.

Businesses, homeowners and renters may check on the status or ask any questions about their SBA disaster loan application at the loan centers.

Survivors with questions about an SBA disaster loan application can call the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339) or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

To learn more about what preventive measures to take before, during and after an emergency, visit www.ready.gov.

###

 

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.

 

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.

 

For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://kyem.ky.gov.

On Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/KYEmergencyManagement. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/kyempio or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

 

Continued:

Disaster Recovery Centers In Bourbon, Madison and Rowan Counties To Close

FEMA: As Severe Weather Approaches, Prepare, Stay Informed and Make a Plan

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the potential for severe weather across the plains and several Midwestern states the remainder of this week and into the weekend, staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region VII office are coordinating with state and local officials in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and urge the public to prepare to stay safe.

 “With the threat of severe weather developing, we urge residents to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local newscasts, monitor digital media feeds for updates and follow the instructions provided by local emergency officials,” said FEMA Region VII Administrator Beth Freeman. “As folks make their weekend plans, this severe weather threat is a reminder everyone needs to remain vigilant as we can’t always anticipate when or where a disaster might strike.”

Make A Plan!
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance. For more information on creating your family’s emergency plan, visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Have an Emergency Supply Kit!
To prepare for power outages and the disruption of essential services, FEMA urges families to prepare an emergency supply kit for their homes and cars. For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.  When preparing a kit, remember water, medications, and items needed for the well-being of your pets.

Stay Informed!
Pay attention to and follow instructions from local emergency officials.

FEMA App Has Weather Alerts (NEW!)
Download the FEMA app (available in English and Spanish, for Apple, Blackberry and Android) to get severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service, https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

Social Media—A great monitoring tool!
Most local emergency managers, state and government agencies, including the National Weather Service, have an active social media presence and use it to provide fast, current and critical information before, during and after emergencies. Consider following the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram handles of your local emergency management office, as well as hospitals, schools and voluntary organizations serving your community.

If you don’t already have one, consider using a social media list to monitor the severe weather threat; how local officials are responding; and what they may ask of you and your family.  @FEMARegion7 on Twitter has created social media lists for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Subscribe to your state’s list, www.twitter.com/femaregion7/lists, or use it as a template to create your own. Learn and chat about creating Twitter and Facebook lists using #PrepList.

Tips for Severe Weather Safety!

If you have severe weather in your area, keep these safety tips in mind:

  • Become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard and talk to your family about what you will do if a watch or warning is issued. Here are the terms you need to know:

WATCH: Meteorologists are monitoring an area or region for the formation of a specific type of threat (e.g. flooding, severe thunderstorms, or tornados).

WARNING: Specific life and property threatening conditions are occurring and imminent. Take appropriate safety precautions.

  • If there’s a tornado warning, you’ll need to know what to do no matter where you are. Learn more before the storms arrive, http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes.
  • DISTANCE TO SAFE ROOM MATTERS: While community safe rooms offer significant reassurance and protection during a severe weather event, always make the safe and certain choice about where to seek shelter – particularly if there is little time to travel to the location of the community safe room. It is always best to seek shelter in your basement or in the lowest possible structure in your residence if time and warning are limited when severe weather hits.
  • LOCATION MATTERS: Know your surroundings and your structures if you’re planning to attend an event, take vacation, visit family, or if you are staying in a location other than your home like a hotel, campground or cabin. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the facility’s emergency plans including: sirens and warnings, how to shelter in place, and steps to be taken in the event of an evacuation.
  • MOBILE HOMES: Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. Residents of mobile homes must plan in advance and identify safe shelter in a nearby building.
  • FLOODING: Be aware that flash flooding can occur within minutes and with little notice.  If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.  Do not wait for instructions to move. Do not drive through flood water. When you see flood waters ahead: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • SAFETY AFTER THE STORM: Injury may occur when people walk amid disaster debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.

    Be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in or around your home. Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards and before going back to a property with downed power lines, or the possibility of a gas leak. Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.  They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you. 

###

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Find regional updates from FEMA Region VII at www.twitter.com/femaregion7. 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.

 

Originally posted here: 

FEMA: As Severe Weather Approaches, Prepare, Stay Informed and Make a Plan

Make Your Community Safer on National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

WASHINGTON – Wildfires can occur anywhere in the country with the potential to destroy homes, businesses, infrastructure, natural resources, and agriculture. Last year, the United States experienced over 63,000 wildfires that burned more than three million acres. National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is Saturday, May 2, and people across the nation will dedicate time to making their communities a safer place should a wildfire occur.

Wildfires can start in remote wilderness areas, national parks, or even your backyard.  They can start from natural causes, such as lightning, but most are caused by humans, either accidentally—from cigarettes, campfires, or outdoor burning—or intentionally. 

“When our citizens prepare and adopt the principles of fire-adapted communities, the loss of life and property from wildland fires is greatly reduced,” said United States Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell.  

Protect your family and community from a wildfire by taking action before one happens.  On National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, join your friends, family members, faith-based group or youth organization, and volunteer your time to improve your community’s ability to withstand and recover from a wildfire, which also may improve the safety of firefighters.

There are many ways to help protect homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and entire communities:

  • Reduce the amount of flammable materials and brush that can burn around your home or business;
  • Create a fire-free area within the first five feet of your home using non-flammable materials and high moisture-content plantings;
  • Maintain an area that is clear of flammable materials and debris for at least 30 feet on all sides from your home or business; and
  • Move wood piles and propane tanks to at least 30 feet from your home or business.

National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is part of America’s PrepareAthon! a grassroots campaign for action to get people better prepared for emergencies through group discussions, drills and exercises.  You can take steps to prepare to reduce the devastating effects of any disaster by creating a family communication plan and practicing how you will evacuate and communicate with friends and family members in an emergency. Register your action at www.ready.gov/prepare.

Learn more about National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Visit the ready.gov and learn how to prepare for a wildfire.

###

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.

Source: 

Make Your Community Safer on National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

60% of Americans Not Practicing for Disaster: FEMA urges everyone to prepare by participating in National PrepareAthon! Day on April 30

WASHINGTON – A recent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) survey found that nearly 60 percent of American adults have not practiced what to do in a disaster by participating in a disaster drill or preparedness exercise at work, school, or home in the past year. Further, only 39 percent of respondents have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their household. This is despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans live in counties that have been hit with a weather-related disaster since 2007, as reported by the Washington Post. With the number and severity of weather-related disasters on the rise, the America’s PrepareAthon! is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to take action to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills, and exercises.

“When it comes to preparedness, practice makes perfect,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “America’s PrepareAthon! is about taking action now to better prepare yourself, your family, and your community to be ready to respond to these events before they occur.”

America’s PrepareAthon! is a national community-based campaign that provides free, easy-to-use guides, checklists, and resources to get more people to take action to prepare every day. On April 30, individuals, families, workplaces, schools and organizations will come together to practice simple actions to stay safe before, during, and after emergencies relevant to their area. Examples include:

  1. Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps to your smartphone.
  2. Develop an emergency communication plan for your family. This will help you be in touch if a disaster strikes and family members are in different locations.
  3. Collect important documents and keep them in a safe place. This will help you evacuate without delay and get back on track after the disaster passes.
  4. Gather emergency supplies. Pack a “go bag” to evacuate quickly and have supplies in the home to be safe without water or power.

Visit the America’s PrepareAthon! website, ready.gov/prepare to take action, be counted and spread the word.

America’s PrepareAthon! was established to provide a comprehensive campaign to build and sustain national preparedness as directed by Presidential Policy Directive-8. The campaign is coordinated by FEMA in collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations.

Read More:

60% of Americans Not Practicing for Disaster: FEMA urges everyone to prepare by participating in National PrepareAthon! Day on April 30

Sixty Percent of Americans Not Practicing for Disaster: FEMA urges everyone to prepare by participating in National PrepareAthon! Day on April 30

WASHINGTON – A recent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) survey found that nearly 60 percent of American adults have not practiced what to do in a disaster by participating in a disaster drill or preparedness exercise at work, school, or home in the past year. Further, only 39 percent of respondents have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their household. This is despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans live in counties that have been hit with a weather-related disaster since 2007, as reported by the Washington Post. With the number and severity of weather-related disasters on the rise, the America’s PrepareAthon! is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to take action to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills, and exercises.

“When it comes to preparedness, practice makes perfect,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “America’s PrepareAthon! is about taking action now to better prepare yourself, your family, and your community to be ready to respond to these events before they occur.”

America’s PrepareAthon! is a national community-based campaign that provides free, easy-to-use guides, checklists, and resources to get more people to take action to prepare every day. On April 30, individuals, families, workplaces, schools and organizations will come together to practice simple actions to stay safe before, during, and after emergencies relevant to their area. Examples include:

  1. Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps to your smartphone.
  2. Develop an emergency communication plan for your family. This will help you be in touch if a disaster strikes and family members are in different locations.
  3. Collect important documents and keep them in a safe place. This will help you evacuate without delay and get back on track after the disaster passes.
  4. Gather emergency supplies. Pack a “go bag” to evacuate quickly and have supplies in the home to be safe without water or power.

Visit the America’s PrepareAthon! website, ready.gov/prepare to take action, be counted and spread the word.

America’s PrepareAthon! was established to provide a comprehensive campaign to build and sustain national preparedness as directed by Presidential Policy Directive-8. The campaign is coordinated by FEMA in collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations.

Source: 

Sixty Percent of Americans Not Practicing for Disaster: FEMA urges everyone to prepare by participating in National PrepareAthon! Day on April 30

FEMA Launches New Feature to Mobile App Empowering Users to Follow Weather Alerts Across the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a new feature to its free app that will enable users to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation. This new feature allows users to receive alerts on severe weather happening anywhere they select in the country, even if the phone is not located in the area, making it easy to follow severe weather that may be threatening family and friends.

“Emergency responders and disaster survivors are increasingly turning to mobile devices to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA administrator. “This new feature empowers individuals to assist and support family and friends before, during, and after a severe weather event.”

“Every minute counts when severe weather threatens and mobile apps are an essential way to immediately receive the life-saving warnings provided by NOAA’s National Weather Service,” said Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., NOAA administrator.  “These alerts are another tool in our toolbox as we work to build a ‘Weather Ready Nation’ – a nation that’s ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather events.”

According to a recent survey by Pew Research, 40 percent of Americans have used their smartphone to look up government services or information. Additionally, a majority of smartphone owners use their devices to keep up to date with breaking news, and to be informed about what is happening in their community.

The new weather alert feature adds to the app’s existing features to help Americans through emergencies. In addition to this upgrade, the app also provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and Disaster Recovery Centers, and tips on how to survive natural and manmade disasters. The FEMA app also offers a “Disaster Reporter” feature, where users can upload and share photos of disaster damage.

Some other key features of the app include:

  • Safety Tips: Tips on how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes
  • Disaster Reporter: Users can upload and share photos of damage and recovery efforts
  • Maps of Disaster Resources: Users can locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers
  • Apply for Assistance: The app provides easy access to apply for federal disaster assistance
  • Information in Spanish: The app defaults to Spanish-language content for smartphones that have Spanish set as their default language

The latest version of the FEMA app is available for free in the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices.  Users who already have the app downloaded on their device should download the latest update for the weather alerts feature to take effect. The new weather alerts feature in the FEMA app does not replace Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) function available on many new smartphones. WEAs have a special tone and vibration and are sent for emergencies such as extreme weather, AMBER alerts, or Presidential Alerts.

To learn more about the FEMA app, visit: The FEMA App: Helping Your Family Weather the Storm.

Graphic with a brief summary of a few features in the FEMA app.A brief summary of a few features in the FEMA app.

###

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.

 

Source:  

FEMA Launches New Feature to Mobile App Empowering Users to Follow Weather Alerts Across the Country

In Anticipation of Severe Weather, FEMA Monitors and Encourages Residents to Prepare Now

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the potential for severe weather across the plains and several Midwestern states this week, staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region VII office are coordinating with state and local officials in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and urge the public to be prepared and stay informed.

“As the threat of severe weather develops, we urge residents to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local newscasts, monitor digital media feeds for updates and follow the  instructions provided by local emergency officials,” said FEMA Region VII Administrator Beth Freeman. “This severe weather threat is a reminder that everyone needs a family emergency plan as we can’t always anticipate when or where a disaster might strike.”

For more information on creating your family’s emergency plan, visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Preparing for Severe Weather Now

To prepare for power outages and the disruption of essential services, FEMA urges families to prepare an emergency supply kit for their homes and cars. For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.  When preparing a kit, remember water, medications, and items needed for the well-being of your pets.

Staying informed is equally important when preparing for any emergency, particularly severe weather threats. In addition to monitoring the guidance and reports of local emergency and weather officials, monitor social media before, during and after emergencies. Consider following the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram handles of your local emergency management office as well as hospitals, schools and voluntary organizations that serve your community. More information on building your own preparedness list is available from @FEMARegion7 on Twitter, using the hashtag #preplist, or by visiting www.twitter.com/femaregion7/lists.

Responding to Severe Weather

If you have severe weather in your area, keep in mind these safety tips:

  • Become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe weather hazards include the following:
  • Watch: Meteorologists are monitoring an area or region for the formation of a specific type of threat (e.g. flooding, severe thunderstorms, or tornados).
  • Warning: Specific life and property threatening conditions are occurring and imminent. Take appropriate safety precautions.
  • Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. Residents of mobile homes must plan in advance and identify safe shelter in a nearby building.
  • While community safe rooms offer significant reassurance and protection during a severe weather event, always make the safe and certain choice about where to seek shelter – particularly if there is little time to travel to the location of the community safe room. It is always best to seek shelter in your basement or in the lowest possible structure in your residence if time and warning are limited when severe weather hits.
  • Know your surroundings and your structures if you’re planning to attend an event, take vacation, visit family, or if you are staying in a location other than your home like a hotel, campground or cabin. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the facility’s emergency plans including sirens and warnings, how to shelter in place, and steps to be taken in the event of an evacuation. 
  • Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.
  • After a disaster, be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in your home. Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards and before going back to a property with downed power lines, or the possibility of a gas leak. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you. 
  • Injury may occur when people walk amid disaster debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Find regional updates from FEMA Region VII at www.twitter.com/femaregion7. 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.

###

See original article – 

In Anticipation of Severe Weather, FEMA Monitors and Encourages Residents to Prepare Now

FEMA Awards $186,801 Grant to the City of Nelsonville

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $186,801 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the city of Nelsonville, Ohio, for the acquisition and demolition of eight residential structures in the Hocking River floodplain. Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.

“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.  “The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“Funding from this grant program will help the city of Nelsonville to significantly reduce flood risks in a flood-prone area,” said Evan Schumann, executive director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. “This will contribute to community resilience and toward becoming a safer Ohio.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $249,068 eligible project cost. The city of Nelsonville will contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $62,267.

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: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

View original: 

FEMA Awards $186,801 Grant to the City of Nelsonville

Union County Facing Probation from National Flood Insurance Program

DENVER – Union County, S.D., is scheduled to be placed on probationary status with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on May 18, 2015, unless the county is able to address program deficiencies prior to that date, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the program.

FEMA’s regional office in Denver sent a letter to the county on January 16, 2015, which identified floodplain management violations and program deficiencies that need to be corrected. This action was taken after repeated attempts were made to obtain information and documentation related to identified floodplain management violations and program deficiencies and after attempts to resolve these deficiencies through community assistance and consultation. The deficiencies and violations cited in the probation letter include failure to manage floodplain development in accordance with the county’s floodplain ordinance and lack of adequate record keeping.

Compliance with NFIP requirements is designed to help communities better protect citizens and their homes and property from flooding. Noncompliance puts Union County in danger of failing to provide an appropriate level of protection to the citizens and property owners of the county, which faces significant risk from flooding.

Union County property owners will still be able to purchase and renew flood insurance coverage during the probationary period, but a $50 surcharge will be added to each policy sold or renewed in the community beginning on May 18, 2015.  There are currently 424 flood insurance policies in Union County.

If the county fails to make progress remedying the floodplain management violations and program deficiencies, the county could be suspended from the program. The result of suspension is the loss of federally backed flood insurance in the county, meaning that residents will not be able to purchase or renew their flood insurance policies after suspension occurs. Furthermore, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 prohibits federal agencies from making grants, loans, or guarantees for the acquisition or construction of structures located in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

Additionally, if a disaster occurs in a suspended community, most types of federal disaster assistance for structures within a Special Flood Hazard Area are not available.

FEMA remains committed to working with Union County officials to help the county achieve a good standing in the NFIP.

 

Excerpt from: 

Union County Facing Probation from National Flood Insurance Program

Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Newark March 4

EATONTOWN, N.J – Residents and property owners in coastal communities in Essex County, New Jersey will be able to ask questions and obtain information on their property’s flood hazard risk at a 

Public Open House on Flood Maps

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 4 to 8 PM

Azores Social & Sports Club

142 Wilson Ave, Newark, NJ

During the past year and a half, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region II office has released updates to the flood hazard maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), for New Jersey’s coastal communities. The FIRMs identify areas of flood risk in these coastal communities.

These Preliminary FIRMS identify areas of flood risk in the following Essex County communities:

North Caldwell, Borough of

Newark, City of

Township of Belleville,

Township of Bloomfield,

Township of Fairfield,

Township of Montclair,

Township of Nutley,

Township of West Caldwell,

Community and county officials in Essex County have arranged for the Flood Risk Open House to assist residents and property owners with questions and concerns regarding flood hazards and flood insurance rate maps.

If you think you may be in a flood zone, or already know you are, feel free to attend the open house between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. No formal presentation will be made and no appointment is necessary.

The preliminary flood hazard maps that will be shared at the Open House are an update of the existing FIRMs. These preliminary FIRMs and the associated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) provide the basis for flood risk education and floodplain management measures. Each community is required to adopt updated maps to continue participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes flood insurance available to the community.

Insurance companies use FIRMs to determine flood insurance rates for buildings, and lenders utilize this information to determine flood insurance requirements. Residents and property owners in these areas are encouraged to learn more about their flood risk and the updates shown on the preliminary flood hazard maps by entering their property’s address in the “What’s my BFE?” tool at www.region2coastal.com. 

Using interactive flood hazard maps at this Open House, representatives from the State, County, FEMA and their mapping partners, will be available to answer flood risk and insurance questions, and explain the preliminary flood hazard maps. Residents are encouraged to bring their elevation certificates and/or flood insurance policies to the event in order to get the best information about how their flood insurance rates may change as a result of the new preliminary flood maps and legislative reforms.

The Open House will cover flood hazard and FIRM map information only. No information will be available concerning outstanding insurance claims or disaster-related recovery efforts.

Please plan to attend this event if your property is currently mapped within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), newly mapped into an SFHA, or if you are unsure of your flood risk and/or you have any questions on flood insurance. If you cannot attend or want to learn more about your flood risk, please refer to the Preliminary FIRMs which are available on the FEMA Map Service Center website, https://msc.fema.gov/portal, call the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or call your local flood plain administrator or building official.

If you are in a high-risk flood zone, known as the SFHA, you may be required by your lender to carry flood insurance. FEMA staff will be available at the Open House to talk about these changes.

Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States. It is vital for property owners to understand their risk and taking advantage of tools and programs available to them. Property owners can take action by purchasing flood insurance and implementing mitigation actions to help reduce future flooding impacts.

For additional information on flood hazard risk and the mapping process, please visit www.region2coastal.com

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.twitter.com/FEMASandy,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, 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.”

Visit source:

Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Newark March 4

 Page 23 of 60  « First  ... « 21  22  23  24  25 » ...  Last »