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Mississippi Storm Survivors Urged To Register For Disaster Assistance

PEARL, Miss. – Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Mississippi are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.

The presidential disaster declaration of April 30 makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne and Winston counties.

Individuals and business owners in the designated counties can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. C-Spire wireless customers can register by calling #362.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Mississippi residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

Social Security number
Address of the damaged home or apartment
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where they can receive mail
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4175 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) site at www.msema.org/ .

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.

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Mississippi Storm Survivors Urged To Register For Disaster Assistance

Disaster Assistance for SR530 Slide Expanded to Include More Funding for Public Facilities and Infrastructure

EVERETT, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington Emergency Management Division today announced that more financial assistance for local and state agencies and certain nonprofit organizations has been approved for eligible public facilities affected by the SR530 Slide. The new provisions for public facilities expand the funding that is already available for eligible costs of debris removal and emergency measures.

The additional assistance is for repair and replacement of:

Roads and bridges;
Water-control facilities;
Public buildings and their contents;
Public utilities, both government and privately owned; and
Parks, recreational resources and similar facilities that serve the public.

“This funding will help us escalate the recovery work we have already been accomplishing with local, tribal and federal partners,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin. “We will continue to work with FEMA and our other partners for as long it takes.”

Federal assistance for debris removal and emergency measures became available on April 2 for eligible state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Snohomish County – including the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip tribes. This money will allow for further recovery efforts.

“This funding will help us to continue supporting recovery from the SR530 Slide,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall. “FEMA remains dedicated to doing all we can.”

The Public Assistance program is for recovery of infrastructure and public entities. Unlike Individual Assistance –which is a separate program that assists individuals and households affected by the SR530 slide – Public Assistance is a federal program to provide funding for infrastructure and public facilities. FEMA covers 75 percent of the costs of eligible projects.

Immediately following the disaster, the state of Washington and FEMA extended support for debris removal and measures to protect further human injury and damage to property.

Public Assistance funding may cover costs incurred to return elements of the public facilities to as close to their pre-disaster condition as possible. Types of entities that may be eligible for Public Assistance include:

State government agencies;
Local governments and special districts;
Certain private nonprofit organizations; and
Federally recognized tribes.

Eligible private nonprofits that might qualify for assistance include schools, utilities, emergency medical and custodial care operations, irrigation systems, museums, zoos, community centers, libraries, shelters, health services and other organizations that provide essential services of a governmental nature.

Nonprofits that supply critical services – power, water, sewage treatment, communications and emergency care – can apply directly to FEMA for help. All others must first apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which works hand-in-hand with FEMA, for a low-interest loan. If such a loan is denied or is inadequate for the nonprofit’s needs, the organization can apply to FEMA for a grant, federal officials said.

The Public Assistance program also encourages protection of facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard-mitigation measures during and after the recovery process.

To learn more about the Public Assistance program, visit: http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit/categories-work.

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Disaster Assistance for SR530 Slide Expanded to Include More Funding for Public Facilities and Infrastructure

President Declares Disaster for Mississippi

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Mississippi and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding on April 28, 2014 and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne, and Winston counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency work for damage from the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne, and Winston counties.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

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

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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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.

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President Declares Disaster for Mississippi

Recovery Centers to Close May 10; FEMA Assistance Still Available

EVERETT, Wash. – The state of Washington and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will close the three Snohomish County Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The FEMA help line will continue to be available to provide guidance for survivors of the March 22 SR530 Slide.

The DRC staff members have been able to field questions and supply information to more than 800 survivors since they began operations on April 7.

For those affected by the slide who have yet to visit a DRC, the three centers will be open and fully staffed until the close of business on May 10 at:

Oso Fire Station (Snohomish County Fire Protection District 25 – parking lot)
21824 State Route 530 NE
Arlington, WA 98223

Arlington Department of Public Works
154 West Cox Ave.
Arlington, WA 98223

Darrington Ranger District Office (Parking Lot)
1405 Emens Ave. North
Darrington, WA 98241

Operating hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The DRCs will not be open on Sunday, May 4.

To reach the FEMA help line, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT, seven days a week. To get information online, visit: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov.

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Recovery Centers to Close May 10; FEMA Assistance Still Available

FEMA: Be Prepared for Continuing Severe Weather; Major Disaster Declared for Arkansas, Federal Teams Supporting Affected Areas

WASHINGTON – At the direction of President Obama, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is continuing to support areas impacted by severe weather from the Central Plains to the Southeast U.S. FEMA, through its National Response Coordination Center in Washington D.C. and regional offices in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, and Denton, Texas, is closely monitoring the severe weather and remains in close contact with impacted and potentially impacted States and Tribes.

Today, President Obama declared a Major Disaster for the State of Arkansas as a result of the severe weather. This declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Faulkner County. Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency work.

Residents and business owners in Faulkner County, Arkansas who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Yesterday, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate travelled to Arkansas to survey tornado damage in Mayflower and Vilonia, where he spoke with state officials to ensure that the state’s needs were being met.

FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams are deployed to Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi with additional liaison officers in Kansas and Alabama. FEMA deployed the Texas Task Force 1 Urban Search & Rescue Team as well as the White Incident Support Team to the State of Arkansas. An additional team based in Nebraska is also on alert and prepared to deploy if requested.

“Severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding continue to impact communities today,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “It’s important that anyone in potentially impacted areas continue to follow the direction of local officials.”

FEMA remains in close contact with the National Weather Service, which is forecasting a risk of severe weather this afternoon and into tonight for portions of the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys into the central eastern Gulf States. Several tornadoes, large hail and straight line damaging winds are likely.

Severe weather can occur anytime, day or night, and residents should be prepared to take action immediately. For the latest weather forecasts, visit www.weather.gov.

When natural disasters, such as tornadoes and severe storms strike, the first responders are local emergency and public works personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and numerous private interest groups who provide emergency assistance required to protect the public’s health and safety and to meet immediate human needs.

Severe Weather & Tornado Safety Tips

Maintain an emergency supply kit both at home and in the car to help prepare for power outages or impassable roads. 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. Find severe weather and tornado preparedness tips at http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather.
Follow the instructions of state and local officials, and listen to local radio or TV stations for updated disaster response and evacuation information. Residents can listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local news to monitor for severe weather updates and warnings. The National Weather Service is the source for tornado watches and warnings.
Become familiar with the terms used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe tornado and other severe weather hazards include the following:

For a flash flood:

A flash flood watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
A flash flood warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

For a severe thunderstorm:

A severe thunderstorm watch means that a severe thunderstorm with large hail and/or damaging winds is possible in your area.
A severe thunderstorm warning means that a severe thunderstorm with large hail and/or damaging winds is occurring or imminent, move indoors immediately.

For a tornado:

A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area.
A tornado warning means a tornado is either occurring or imminent, take shelter immediately.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for what to do during a tornado and plan where you will go if a tornado watch is issued in your community:

Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
If underground shelter is not available, go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head.
Vehicles, trailers and mobile homes are not good locations to ride out a tornado. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.
If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.

Wireless Emergency Alerts are now being sent directly to many cell phones on participating wireless carriers’ networks. These alerts are sent by public safety officials such as the National Weather Service and designed to get your attention and to provide brief, critical instructions to warn about imminent threats like severe weather. Take the alert seriously and follow instructions. More information is available on Wireless Emergency Alerts at www.ready.gov/alerts.

The American Red Cross Tornado Warning and Alert app has an automatic audible siren that goes off when NOAA issues a tornado warning, provides notification when a warning expires and allows users to let other know they are safe. For more information visit www.redcross.org.

Be Safe After the Storm

Only enter areas that have sustained damaged after local officials have said it is safe to do so. Always follow the direction of local officials.
Because tornadoes often damage power lines, gas lines or electrical systems, there is a risk of fire, electrocution or an explosion.
Here are some safety precautions that could help you avoid injury after a tornado:
- Be careful when entering any structure that has been damaged.
- Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
- Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.
- Use battery-powered lanterns, if possible, rather than candles to light homes without electrical power.
Inspecting the damage:
- After a tornado, be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in your home.
- In general, if you suspect any damage to your home, shut off electrical power, natural gas and propane tanks to avoid fire, electrocution or explosions if you know how to do so.
- If it is dark when you are inspecting your home, use a flashlight rather than a candle or torch to avoid the risk of fire or explosion in a damaged home.
- If you see frayed wiring or sparks, or if there is an odor of something burning, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker if you have not done so already.
- If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company, the police or fire departments, or State Fire Marshal’s office and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to your house until you are told it is safe to do so.

For more information on severe weather and tornado preparedness tips, visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to find out how you can protect your family during emergencies.

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: Be Prepared for Continuing Severe Weather; Major Disaster Declared for Arkansas, Federal Teams Supporting Affected Areas

FEMA Urges Preparedness ahead of Severe Weather; Residents Encouraged to Monitor Conditions and Follow Direction of Local Officials

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Denton, Texas, is monitoring a large-scale storm system moving across the western U.S. into the Great Plains which will potentially cause a multi-day severe weather outbreak this weekend and into early next week. Residents in potentially affected areas should take the time now to ensure they are prepared for severe weather.

FEMA is in close contact with the National Weather Service, which is forecasting the development of severe thunderstorms across the central and southern Great Plains this weekend and into the Mississippi Valley and mid-South early next week, with the potential for hail, damaging winds and tornadoes, as the system progresses eastward. Ahead of this storm, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible today in parts of southern Virginia and North Carolina For a comprehensive forecast for your area, visit www.weather.gov.

Many mobile devices are capable of receiving free Wireless Emergency Alerts, which 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.

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

Severe Weather & Tornado Safety Tips

Maintain an emergency supply kit both at home and in the car to help prepare for power outages or impassable roads. 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. Find severe weather and tornado preparedness tips at http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather.
Follow the instructions of state and local officials, and listen to local radio or TV stations for updated disaster response and evacuation information. Residents can listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local news to monitor for severe weather updates and warnings. The National Weather Service is the source for tornado watches and warnings.

Become familiar with the terms used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe tornado and other severe weather hazards include the following:

For a flash flood:

A flash flood watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
A flash flood warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

For a severe thunderstorm:

A severe thunderstorm watch means that a severe thunderstorm with large hail and/or damaging winds is possible in your area.
A severe thunderstorm warning means that a severe thunderstorm with large hail and/or damaging winds is occurring or imminent, move indoors immediately.

For a tornado:

A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area.
A tornado warning means a tornado is either occurring or imminent, take shelter immediately.

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 Preparedness ahead of Severe Weather; Residents Encouraged to Monitor Conditions and Follow Direction of Local Officials

One Month before Caddo Parish, Louisiana Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas ––In one month, new flood maps for Caddo Parish, Louisiana will become effective.

Local, state and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps before Monday, May 19, 2014 in order to understand their flood risk and then consider buying flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The NFIP is a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.”

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, contact your local floodplain administrator. FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts are also available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat. Maps are available online for review.

• To view the online interactive flood maps, visit http://bit.ly/1iHozvv

• Find the interactive map index at: http://bit.ly/1k4r5Mj

• To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.

• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

• Once effective, maps can be viewed at https://msc.fema.gov

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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One Month before Caddo Parish, Louisiana Flood Maps Become Final

President Declares Disaster for Indiana

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Indiana to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of January 5-9, 2014.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by a severe winter storm and snowstorm in Boone, Clay, Hendricks, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Noble, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tipton, Vigo, Wabash, White, and Whitley counties.

In addition, assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance, for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in Boone, Clay, Hendricks, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tipton, Vigo, Wabash, and White counties and a 72 hour period in Noble and Whitley counties.

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

David G. Samaniego has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Samaniego said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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

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President Declares Disaster for Indiana

FEMA Public Assistance Grants Help Oregon Communities Repair After Storm

SALEM, Ore. ─ Oregon’s severe winter storm in February left thousands of residents without power and roadways blocked with downed trees and other debris. Today, teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working side by side with state and local officials to help communities recover from the disaster.

The presidential disaster declaration stemming from the Feb. 6-10 storm makes FEMA grants available to eligible applicants in Benton, Lane, Lincoln and Linn counties.

FEMA’s help comes through the Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program, which reimburses state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations for eligible expenses they incurred in protecting lives and property during and following the storm, and in cleaning up and rebuilding afterward. The grant program also provides mitigation funds to help rebuild infrastructure that is better able to withstand future storms.

“Oregon’s responders made enormous efforts to protect our citizens and get power lines fixed and debris removed during and after the storm,” said State Coordinating Officer Sean McCormick of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM). “FEMA grants will go a long way toward reimbursing applicants for those expenses.”

“FEMA funds go to government entities and nonprofits that restored critical infrastructure in the aftermath of the storm,” said Thomas J. Dargan, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the recovery effort. “We also seek to make communities and infrastructure more resilient to future storms to better protect citizens and property.”

Under the PA program, FEMA generally reimburses applicants for 75 percent of their eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the nonfederal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then makes disbursements to the local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and on the OEM website at www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/pages/index.aspx.

Follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion10 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit FEMA’s blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Public Assistance Grants Help Oregon Communities Repair After Storm

As search continues, teams expand target focus on new areas

EVERETT, Wash. – SR530 slide search teams will direct their efforts to a smaller section as early as Friday morning.

In the coming days, workers at the slide area will shift the focus of their search to the area south of the temporary berm. Experts say this area, which includes two of the total 21 search zones, offers the highest probability of search success.

Since the SR530 slide March 22, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified 39 individual fatalities. Four more people remain on the list of missing.

As the search area narrows, the goal of the search crews remains the same: to find as many of the missing individuals for their families as possible.

Since the berm was constructed, workers have drained the area of water from the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River, which was backed up as a result of the slide blocking the river’s flow. The next step is to allow the area to dry out so workers can safely search it.

Right now, the area is too dangerous to search. When the search will begin is weather dependent; the area may be dry enough to search by Friday, but this week’s rain could delay the timetable.

This search will involve specially trained staff, and fewer workers than earlier search efforts, primarily for worker safety. Although the number of people involved in the search will be reduced, work will continue at all levels: local, state, tribal and federal.

The “wide-area” search will continue, but on a smaller scale, while the work south of the berm will be a technical, targeted search. Search and rescue leaders think this approach offers the best chance to locate missing people.

Current plans call for the following teams to remain on site: a Snohomish County technical search team; a total of eight canine teams; Washington Task Force 1 to prepare for departure on April 19; up to 100 Washington National Guard soldiers to continue searching, with 15 to 20 trained as spotters (crews with specialized instruction that aid the National Guard); a Type 3 Incident Management team to arrive on April 21 and a Type 2 team to demobilize on April 24.

An important related issue is re-establishing the vital SR530 transportation link between Darrington, Oso and Arlington. Search crews must complete their work in the area south of the berm before the Washington State Department of Transportation can evaluate the highway damage, begin clearing the highway and formulate a plan for making repairs.

As the search area narrows, individuals are strongly urged to stay away from the slide area. This area remains too dangerous for people to visit.

While the search is shifting to a new phase, support for local residents and property owners will continue at the local, state, tribal and federal levels.

As search continues, teams expand target focus on new areas

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