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FEMA and American Red Cross: Partners in Illinois Recovery

AURORA, IL—For many affected by the severe weather and flooding of this past spring in Illinois, recovery is well underway or complete. But others will need additional support to recover. When needs exceed federal resources, voluntary agencies step up to the plate. These nonprofit, faith and community based organizations arrive before FEMA does and remain long after FEMA’s mission ends.

“Voluntary organizations play a key part in FEMA’s mission to provide support and guidance to states recovering from disasters,” said W. Michael Moore, federal coordinating officer for the Illinois disaster.

Once an emergency requires the attention of the state and the disaster has been declared by the president, FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VAL) located at the disaster site coordinate with voluntary organizations to support engagement of the whole community in recovery.

One of these voluntary organizations is the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is chartered by Congress to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Because of this relationship and its long history of providing assistance, the Red Cross plays a unique leadership role in major disasters.

This year, an opportunity for partnership in another aspect of recovery was provided through new provisions of the FEMA Disaster Case Management Program, a program developed to help identify unmet needs and coordinate them with voluntary organizations that may be able to provide additional assistance. The partnership will ensure that those with unmet needs have access to a coordinated network of social service resources and leverage the ability of recovery groups to provide a continuity of care.

Survivors do not have to apply for or qualify for FEMA assistance to be eligible to receive support through the Disaster Case Management program. The only requirement for the Illinois disaster is that the recovery need was caused by the declared disaster of April 16-May 5.

The Disaster Case Management program in Illinois is built around a 90-day timeline that began in late July and will include screening and referrals to governmental and nongovernmental assistance programs. FEMA is not authorized to provide additional financial assistance to survivors through the Disaster Case Management program.

Those with unmet needs arising from the disaster of April 16-May 5 may reach the American Red Cross by calling 312-854-9870, seven days week, 24 hours a day.

The American Red Cross is not a federal entity; it relies on donations, the generosity of the American public to support nearly 100 percent of its disaster relief activities.

“A FEMA-Red Cross partnership in Illinois provides increased flexibility and service to residents in ways that extend disaster support beyond what’s normally available,” Moore said. “They are one part of the whole team in place to ensure disaster survivors in Illinois are provided optimum support in recovery.”

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 and American Red Cross: Partners in Illinois Recovery

FEMA Lends A Hand To Vermonters During National Food Drive

WILLISTON, Vt. – As the Federal Emergency Management Agency marks more than two years in Vermont assisting disaster survivors, its staff are working to help fight hunger in the state as well.

The fifth annual Feds Feed Families campaign is a national project of federal employees who help collect food and non-perishable items for those in need, and this year FEMA employees in Vermont are helping to replenish the shelves of the Vermont Foodbank.

“FEMA has had a presence in Vermont since the spring 2011 floods,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont operations. “Through Irene, and now through this summer’s flooding we have been working to assist Vermonters. Donating food through the Feds Feed Families effort is a natural extension of that work.”

So far, employees at FEMA’s Joint Field Office in Williston have contributed 530 pounds of food and non-perishable items to the Vermont Foodbank as part of Feds Feed Families.

The United State Department of Agriculture is leading this year’s Feds Feed Families campaign, which officially began on June 1 and will run through August 28, 2013.

All federal agencies, including field components, are asked to participate in the campaign. The field agencies typically share their collections with local food banks.

Since 2009, federal workers have donated and collected 15.2 million pounds of food and other non-perishable items to support families across America.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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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FEMA Lends A Hand To Vermonters During National Food Drive

Alaskans have until Aug. 26 to register for FEMA assistance

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Yukon River 2013 flood survivors who had disaster-related damages have until midnight Aug. 26, 2013, to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Registering with FEMA is essential, even if survivors have already registered with the State,” said State Coordinating Officer Bryan Fisher.

The major federal declaration, signed by President Obama on June 25, authorizes assistance to individuals and households in the following Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAA): Alaska Gateway, Lower Yukon, Yukon Flats, and Yukon-Koyukuk.

“Registering is an important first step on the path to a variety of recovery programs,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont.

Those with losses due to flooding between May 17 and June 11, 2013, in the declared REAAs can register by telephone or online through Aug. 26, 2013.
- By telephone: call 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech disability or who are deaf or hard of hearing can call 800-462-7585 (TTY). Multilingual registration can be done by telephone.
- By mobile device: at m.fema.gov.
- Online: go to DisasterAssistance.gov.

After registering with FEMA, some survivors will receive an SBA low-interest loan application. It is important to return the application because SBA is a primary source of disaster recovery. Also, a denial from SBA may lead to additional FEMA assistance and other referrals. There are two ways to apply: go online to SBA’s secure site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or call 800-659-2955 (the deaf and hard of hearing can call 800-877-8339).

Applicants registering for assistance should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address and phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

When you register, be sure to have the following information on hand:

Your Social Security number
Current and pre-disaster address
Block and lot number
A telephone number where you can be contacted
Insurance information
Total household annual income
A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account).
A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.

FEMA disaster assistance may include awards to help pay for housing, replace personal property and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Assistance may also include low-interest federal disaster loans from the SBA. The deadline to register for an SBA disaster loan is Aug. 26, 2013.

SBA offers disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations for their uncompensated losses. Homeowners can receive loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters can receive loans up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Businesses and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace their disaster-damaged property and/or economic losses. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877‑8339. For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs and rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339) or visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

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, and recover from and mitigate all hazards.

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Alaskans have until Aug. 26 to register for FEMA assistance

Video Documentary Highlights Long-Term Recovery Effort in St. John Parish

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Nearly a year after Hurricane Isaac’s floodwaters inundated St. John the Baptist Parish, the community’s long-term rebuilding initiative, “One Parish, One Future: Building Back Better and Stronger,” is making great strides.

This local effort, supported by state and federal partners under the National Disaster Recovery Framework, is the subject of a short documentary by one of the partners, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The 12-minute video, “One Parish, One Future, Building Back Better and Stronger,” documents the hurricane’s destruction and the enormous effort by parish leadership, its volunteer Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and hundreds of residents to develop a long-term recovery strategy and begin to realize its goals. The video is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

“Out of disaster comes opportunity, so we have an opportunity to be better than we were before,” St. John Parish Recovery Manager Raymond Goodman says in the video. “This plan, this strategy is going to go a long way toward doing that.”

Hurricane Isaac struck Louisiana in late August 2012. A few months later the CAC launched the “Building Back Better and Stronger” initiative to help rally public support for and participation in the local effort. Over the following months, residents of all ages and walks of life contributed ideas for rebuilding — both in person at community events and through the parish’s online surveys.

The final recovery strategy outlines 50 projects in the areas of economics, housing, health and social services, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources for the parish to pursue over the coming months and years. Several of the projects are already in the development phase and funding opportunities are being pursued.

The initiative was carried out under the National Disaster Recovery Framework, which outlines a method for all levels of government to work together to help disaster-affected communities build back stronger, smarter and safer. Key principles of the framework are local leadership and citizen empowerment.

“The video demonstrates the progress that’s possible when everyone works together toward common goals,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Wayne Rickard of FEMA. “The framework provided the structure, but St. John’s leaders and citizens have taken charge of their recovery.”

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Video Documentary Highlights Long-Term Recovery Effort in St. John Parish

Missouri Residents Urged to Use Caution When Returning to Flood Damanged Homes and Businesses

Kansas City, Mo –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers safety tips to residents returning to check on flood damaged property and encourages them to file flood insurance claims.

Potential health/safety hazards after a disaster include carbon monoxide poisoning from generators used to power homes or clean-up equipment; electrocution from stepping into water charged by live electric wires; infections to cuts or scrapes that come into contact with surfaces contaminated by floodwater; chemical hazards from spills or storage tank breaks, respiratory and heat-related illnesses; and the worsening of chronic illness from overexertion.

For some, flooding continues to be a concern, if a flood is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to your radio or television for information.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood that could affect you, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. If in your vehicle, Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
United Way’s 2-1-1 is a helpful resource before, during and after disasters. Keeping this number and an up-to-date family communication plan handy is a must-do when preparing for emergencies (see below).

BEWARE OF Hazards

First, check for damage. Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. Contact professionals immediately if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric or sewer lines.
Throw away food that has come in contact with floodwaters.
Boil water until authorities declare the water supply safe to drink.

File your Flood Insurance Claim

Call your insurance agent who handles your flood insurance to file a claim. Have the following information with you when you place your call: (1) the name of your insurance company (your agent may write policies for more than one company); (2) your policy number; and (3) a telephone number/e-mail address where you can be reached.
Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property. If necessary, place these items outside the home. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage and damaged items (e.g., cut swatches from carpeting) to prepare your repair estimate.
List damaged or lost items and include their age and value where possible. If possible, supply receipts for those lost items to the adjuster. Officials may require disposal of damaged items. If so, try to keep a swatch or other sample of the items for the adjuster.

Clean Up

Remove wet contents immediately to prevent mold. Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and other items holding moisture can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours. During the first 48 hours, you can help control mold growth by cleaning with non-ammonia detergents, soap, or commercial cleaner and disinfecting with a 10 percent bleach solution (1-1/2 cups of bleach in a gallon of water). Then dry and monitor for several days. If any mold develops, throw the item away.
Thoroughly dry out the building’s interior. Portable dehumidifiers are useful, and rental costs may be covered under your flood policy. An air conditioner can also be used to start the drying-out process.
Help damaged walls dry out. If the walls are damaged, take photographs of the baseboard. Then remove the baseboard. Knock small holes at floor level in the drywall, between the wall studs. This will let moisture trapped behind the drywall seep out.
Have your furnace checked for damage. Your water heater may work, but if the floodwater covered part of, or the entire tank, the insulation between the walls may be damaged. Obtain an estimate to replace the damaged furnace and water heater.

Flooding Resources for Missourians include:

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/fl_after.shtm – is a link to FEMA-recommended steps that should be taken immediately after a flood.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.asp#cleanup – is a site maintained by the Center for Disease Control with helpful information on health/safety concerns that can result following a flood.
http://www.211helps.org/ – United Way’s 2-1-1 is a helpful resource before, during and after disasters. Keeping this number and an up-to-date family communication plan handy is a must-do when preparing for emergencies. Information about local services, by zip code, is available online. Where 2-1-1 phone service is not available, dial 1-800-427-4626, or TTY 866-385-6525.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact your local building inspections or planning office or county clerk’s office to get more information on local building requirements before repairing your structure. If you can’t find a local contact, call your state NFIP coordinator. Contact information can be found at www.floods.org/statepocs/stcoor.asp.

BE FLOODSMART: More severe weather could be on the way, so prepare today!

Stay informed. Monitor local weather forecasts, watches, and warnings.
Don’t drive through floodwater. Most deaths in floods occur when people try to drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown!
Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Determine how and where to secure your boat.

To file a flood insurance claim or learn more about purchasing flood insurance to protect your property, visit FloodSmart.gov, or call 1-800-427-2419.

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

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Missouri Residents Urged to Use Caution When Returning to Flood Damanged Homes and Businesses

FEMA Announces Appointments to National Advisory Council

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announces the appointment of ten new members and the reappointment of five members to the FEMA National Advisory Council (NAC).

The NAC is an advisory committee established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Members represent the whole community including public health, tribal government and functional and access needs, and provide recommendations on a variety of issues within emergency management to the FEMA Administrator.

FEMA received over 500 applications for these positions. Each applicant was carefully considered through an intensive review process that included a membership recommendation panel of senior government officials.

“The National Advisory Council provides FEMA with advice and recommendations on how to achieve the Agency’s mission,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “We look forward to continued dialogue on emergency management to support states, strengthen outreach efforts to Indian Country, and engage the whole community to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. Both the new and reappointed members represent a cross section of the emergency management team and their insight is valued.”

The new NAC members are:

Mr. Chris E. Howell, Tribal Liaison/Executive Director, Kansas Native American Affairs (Topeka, KS)

Mr. Bart Johnson, Executive Director, International Association of Chiefs of Police (Alexandria, VA)

Dr. Emily Gayle Kidd, Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)

Chief W. Nim Kidd, Assistant Director/Chief, Texas Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management (Austin, TX)

Ms. Linda Langston, Linn County Supervisor (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Mr. Brian Lugo, Elected Tribal Councilmember, Morongo Band of Mission Indians in Southern California (Banning, CA)

Dr. Suzet McKinney, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response and Division of Women & Children’s Health, Chicago Department of Public Health (Chicago, IL)

Mr. Richard Alan Reed, Vice President, Preparedness and Resilience Strategy, American Red Cross (Bethesda, MD)

Mr. Robert Salesses, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Integration and Defense Support of Civil Authorities, U.S. Department of Defense (Washington, DC)

Mr. Dennis Joseph Storemski, Director, City of Houston’s Mayor’s Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security (Houston, TX)

The reappointed NAC members are:

Ms. Elizabeth Armstrong, Executive Director, International Association of Emergency Managers (Falls Church, VA)

Mr. Mark A. Cooper, Senior Director, Emergency Management, Wal-Mart (Rogers, AR)

Ms. Nancy Dragani, Executive Director, Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Columbus, OH)

Ms. June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant (Playa del Rey, CA)

Ms. Teresa Scott, Executive Director, City of Gainesville, Public Works Department (Gainesville, FL)

Additional information on the NAC, including a list of current members, can be found at fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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FEMA Announces Appointments to National Advisory Council

President Declares Disaster for Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, and mudslides during the period of June 20-28, 2013.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal, 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 severe storms, flooding, and mudslides in Ashland, Bayfield, Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Richland, St. Croix, and Vernon counties and the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Bayfield County.

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

Warren J. Riley has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Riley 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 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 Wisconsin

Fema Mitigation Grants Important For Recovery, Protection

LINCROFT, N.J. — FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides important assistance to local, state and tribal governments following a major disaster declaration, both speeding recovery and protecting life and property from future disasters.

With the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides funds to the state to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during recovery from a disaster.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant program can be used to fund projects to protect public or private property as long as the project fits within state and local government mitigation strategies. Funds are sent to the state for distribution.

Examples of projects include:

Acquiring and relocating structures from hazard-prone areas, such as the $29.5 million acquisition of flood-prone properties in Sayreville.
Retrofitting structures to protect them from floods, high winds, earthquakes or other natural hazards.
Constructing certain types of minor and localized flood control projects.
Constructing safe rooms inside schools or other buildings in tornado-prone areas.
Helping state, local or tribal governments develop mitigation plans.

Federal funding under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is made available at the request of a state’s governor following the declaration of a major disaster.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding is allocated using a sliding scale formula based on the percentage of funds spent on FEMA’s Public and Individual Assistance Programs for each declared major disaster.

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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Fema Mitigation Grants Important For Recovery, Protection

Midwestern Residents Urged to be Aware of Flood Dangers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With several areas throughout Kansas and Missouri experiencing bouts of late-summer flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents to stay informed about the potential hazards of flooding.

Floods, especially flash floods, kill more people each year than any other weather phenomenon. This recent spate of severe weather-related events across the Midwestern states serves as a pointed reminder just how dangerous floods can be and how important it is to stay abreast of weather warnings, understand flood terms, and take action by monitoring, listening, preparing and acting accordingly.

Beth Freeman, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region VII urges residents to be constantly aware of their environment and any potential for flooding. “There’s no doubt that when people are aware of the dangers and power of flooding, they can take measures to lessen the exposure to danger for themselves and family members,” Freeman said. “When you’re driving and you see the road ahead is flooded, be safe. It’s best to ‘turn around, don’t drown.’ FEMA is monitoring the situation and is on standby to help states if assistance is requested.”

While floods are the most common hazard in the United States, not all floods are alike. Floods typically occur when too much rain falls or snow melts too quickly. While some floods develop slowly, flash floods develop suddenly.

One of the most dangerous elements of a flood is floodwaters covering roadways, and motorists are urged to never attempt driving through them. About 60 percent of all flood deaths result from people trying to cross flooded roads in vehicles when the moving water sweeps them away.

While flood risks can indeed be a formidable threat, there are simple steps citizens can take today to reduce their risk to all types of floods.

If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to your radio or television for information.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood that could affect you, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should:

Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Unplug electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
Take essential documents (http://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family)

If you must leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:

Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk in areas where the water is not moving. Use a pole or stick to make sure the ground continues in front of you.
Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and your vehicle can be quickly swept away.
Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
A foot of water will float many vehicles.
Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups.

Additional tips to consider:

United Way’s 2-1-1 is a helpful resource before, during and after disasters. Keeping this number and an up-to-date family communication plan handy is a must-do when preparing for emergencies.
Keep emergency supplies on hand, such as non-perishable food, medicine, maps, a flashlight and first-aid kit.
Use extreme caution when returning to flood damaged homes or businesses.

Become familiar with the terms that are used to identify flooding hazards:

Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Flash Flood Watch: Rapid rises on streams and rivers are possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Flash Flood Warning: Rapid rises on streams and rivers are occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

The National Weather Service is the official source for weather watches and warnings.

For more information on flood safety tips and information, visit www.ready.gov/floods or the Spanish-language web site www.listo.gov.

For information on how to obtain a flood insurance policy, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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

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Midwestern Residents Urged to be Aware of Flood Dangers

FEMA authorizes funding to help fight Brimstone Fire

SEATTLE, Wash — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Brimstone Fire burning in Josephine County, Oregon.

FEMA Region X Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on August 1, 2013 at 11:01 PM PDT.

The fire started on July 25, 2013 and has burned approximately 1,711 acres of land under state jurisdiction. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 110 primary homes near the town of Merlin and Sunny Valley, OR. Approximately 300 residents are under evacuation notice. The fire was also threatening two railroad trestles and multiple utility lines. At least 700 staff are supporting fire suppression efforts. There are multiple other fires and complexes burning uncontrolled within the State and across the region. Lighting has ignited multiple new fires across the region since the time of the request, forcing resources to be redirected to initial attack.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Oregon eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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FEMA authorizes funding to help fight Brimstone Fire

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