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Severe Weather Safety: What You Need to Know

CHICAGO – Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere.

Spring flooding is common throughout Minnesota—whether along the Red River, Mississippi, or another one of the state’s many bodies of water. In addition, communities in Minnesota regularly face severe storms and tornadoes that leave behind costly damages for residents to recover from. Everyone should be ready for these risks.

March 2 – 8, 2014 marks the third annual National Severe Weather Preparedness Week – a partnership between FEMA and NOAA to encourage all Americans to learn their weather risks and take steps to prepare.

The first step is to know your risk – understand the types of hazardous weather that can affect your community, and the impact it may have on you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for alerts from your local emergency management officials. Consider purchasing a NOAA weather radio to get the latest updates on severe weather in your area.

Understand the hazards for which you are at risk and then take action: Develop an emergency plan based on your local weather hazards and practice how and where to take shelter before a severe weather event. Post your plan in your home where family and visitors can see it. Create or refresh an emergency kit for needed food, supplies and medication—make sure to keep a kit in your car, at the office and at home, so you are protected regardless of where you may be. For a list of items to include in your emergency kit, visit www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.

Don’t forget to consider pets when making emergency plans, and also take into account any unique needs you or your family might have so you’re best prepared for unforeseen emergencies.

It is also important to take the time to assure you’re fully insured. Remember, homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage, and there is a 30-day waiting period before a flood policy becomes effective. Contact your insurance agent to review your insurance coverage so your home is financially protected.

“Over the past several years, Minnesota has been significantly impacted by costly flooding and dangerous tornadoes,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Taking steps now to prepare will ensure you are ready if severe weather threatens your area this year.”

For even more readiness information follow FEMA Region V at twitter.com/femaregion5 and facebook.com/fema. Individuals can always find valuable severe weather preparedness information at www.ready.gov/severe-weather or download the free FEMA app, available for Android, Apple or Blackberry devices.

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

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Severe Weather Safety: What You Need to Know

FEMA Monitoring Severe Weather in the Midwest; Urges Residents to Follow Direction of Local Officials

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its regional offices in Chicago and Kansas City, is monitoring severe weather, including strong tornadoes, that continues to impact the Midwest and staying in close coordination with officials in affected and potentially affected states. Earlier today, FEMA elevated its National Watch Center in Washington, D.C. to a 24/7 enhanced watch, and has deployed liaisons to support state emergency operation centers in a number of impacted states.

“Residents should continue to monitor weather conditions as they develop and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Be prepared for power outages and dangerous road conditions as a result of downed power lines and flooding – remember if you encounter a flooded road while driving, turn around, don’t drown.”

Since before the storm system developed, FEMA has been in close coordination with state and local partners through its regional offices. FEMA’s Region V Administrator, Andrew Velasquez III, has been in close contact with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Wisconsin Emergency Management Agency, the Michigan Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security regarding the potential impacts in those states.

FEMA has deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to support the State of Illinois. FEMA also has deployed liaison officers to emergency operations centers in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, and additional liaison officers are on standby and ready to deploy, if requested. FEMA is in continued contact with its emergency management partners in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

According to the National Weather Service, numerous fast-moving thunderstorms, capable of producing strong tornadoes along with widespread damaging winds and large hail, will move across portions of the middle Mississippi and Ohio Valley region and the southern Great Lakes region for the remainder of today into this evening.

Visit www.ready.gov to learn more about what to do before, during, and after severe weather. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind should severe weather occur in your area:

Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a tornado hazard.
- A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area.
- A tornado warning is when a tornado is actually occurring, take shelter immediately.
Ensure your family preparedness plan and contacts are up to date and exercise your plan.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to get prepared for tornadoes and other disasters. Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning:
- Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection. If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they attract debris.
- 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.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

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FEMA Monitoring Severe Weather in the Midwest; Urges Residents to Follow Direction of Local Officials

Readout of FEMA Administrator Fugate’s Calls to Gulf Coast State Governors on Tropical Storm Karen Preparations

WASHINGTON – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today completed calls with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Florida Governor Rick Scott, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant about ongoing efforts to prepare for Tropical Storm Karen.

Fugate reiterated that Gulf Coast states have the full support of FEMA and the rest of the federal family in advance of the storm making landfall. The governors did not express any unmet needs at this time. Fugate’s calls were preceded by outreach from FEMA’s Regional Administrators to emergency management officials in potentially impacted states.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.The social media links are provided for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Link:

Readout of FEMA Administrator Fugate’s Calls to Gulf Coast State Governors on Tropical Storm Karen Preparations

FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents to Prepare for Tropical Storm Karen

FEMA also Monitoring Potential Severe Weather in the Central U.S.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its national response coordination center in Washington, DC and its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, Ill., Denton, Texas and Kansas City, Mo., is monitoring the conditions of Tropical Storm Karen, and the potential for severe weather in the Central U.S., including severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and hail.

“Residents in areas forecasted for potential severe weather are encouraged to monitor local conditions, review their family emergency plans, and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “FEMA is staying in close contact with states and local partners and is poised to provide support, if needed.”

Based on applicable legal requirements and consistent with its contingency plan, FEMA has begun to recall currently furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency that protect life and property as they prepare for potential landfall of Tropical Storm Karen and the severe weather in the Central U.S., including parts of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. More than 100 FEMA employees have been recalled from furlough to support response efforts.

FEMA has recalled from furlough and today deployed three incident management assistance teams (IMAT) to potentially affected states. Each IMAT is supported by its defense coordinating element staffed by the Department of Defense. Liaison officers have also been recalled and are currently positioned in emergency operations centers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to assist with the coordination of planning and response operations. Regional response coordination centers in Atlanta, Ga. and Denton, Texas are also activated and those in Chicago, Ill. and Kansas City, Mo., are at an enhanced watch. Additional teams are on standby and available for deployment as needed and requested.

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States, including in the Gulf Coast region, that are available to state and local partners if needed and requested. FEMA has recalled staff from furlough to activate our distribution center in Atlanta, Ga.

According to the National Weather Service, a hurricane watch is in effect for Grand Isle, La. to west of Destin, Fla. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within in the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Morgan City, La. to the mouth of the Pearl River. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. Tropical storm watches are in effect for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain and from Destin to Indian Pass, Fla. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours.

Residents in potentially affected areas are encouraged to:

Follow the instructions of local officials. Local officials make decisions on evacuations, shelter openings or sheltering in place.
Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.
Stay up-to-date with the latest forecast – Monitor local radio and TV reports, as well as forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.

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

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 Gulf Coast Residents to Prepare for Tropical Storm Karen

Mississippi Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

Biloxi, Miss. earns Discount on Flood Insurance Premiums

ATLANTA – Biloxi residents with flood insurance policies will now receive a decrease on their annual flood premiums thanks to the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.

FEMA Region IV Floodplain Management and Insurance Branch Chief Susan Wilson recognized Biloxi officials today with a plaque for the city’s efforts in becoming the third city in the state to earn a Class 5 community rating.

“Reaching a Class 5 rating is so rare nationwide that it really speaks to the local officials and their hard work and determination,” Wilson said. “They understand the extra effort isn’t just for a decrease to insurance premiums, but it is ensuring the entire city is more resistant to flood damage and more disaster resilient overall.”

The CRS rewards communities that voluntarily take steps to reduce flood risks beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP. These steps, which include increasing flood protection and implementing preparedness and mitigation activities, lead to safer communities and ultimately help saves lives and property. As a result, property owners and renters in CRS-participating communities enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums. Communities are ranked from a 10 to 1 scale which determines their flood insurance discounts.

Biloxi policyholders began receiving flood insurance discounts from the CRS program in 1996. As a result of additional steps the community has recently taken, the community moved from a CRS Class 6 to a CRS Class 5 effective May 1, earning an additional five percent savings on flood insurance.

There are more than 5,900 flood insurance policies in Biloxi, representing more than $1.5 billion in flood insurance coverage. Policyholders located in the high risk areas of flooding, or Special Flood Hazard Areas, can now receive a 25 percent discount on their policy premium, which is an average savings of $285 per policy. Some policyholders in the lower risk areas are eligible for a 10 percent discount. In total, policyholders realize an annual savings of more than $437,000 because of the community’s CRS participation.

CRS is a voluntary program for NFIP-participating communities. The intended goals of the program are to reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance ratings and to promote the awareness of flood insurance. The two other Mississippi communities to earn a Class 5 rating are Pascagoula and Waveland.

For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program visit www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm. For more information about the NFIP, a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Community Rating System Facts:

Nationwide Communities: 1,211

Nationwide Class 5: 66

Mississippi Communities: 29

Mississippi Class 5: 3

Originally from:

Mississippi Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

New Director Named for FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office

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

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

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

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

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

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

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New Director Named for FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office

FEMA Corps Arrives to Work with Local Communities on Disaster Preparedness

FEMA Corps arrived in Lynnwood, Washington on March 28^th, 2013 to work with the FEMA Region 10 External Affairs office. FEMA Corps, which is part of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), will be planning and implementing at least three events focused on community involvement in disaster preparedness. This is the team’s first assignment since completing 6 weeks of in depth training.

The FEMA Corps team known as Gold 4 is from the NCCC Pacific Region campus in Sacramento, California. Gold 4 was the only team out of 20 teams from the Pacific Region campus to be sent to Washington. The team has been tasked to organize community events focused on increasing disaster preparedness within Region X which serves the population of Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Idaho. The team will document the planning process to ensure projects can be easily replicated in other communities.

Team member Carrie Fowler is “excited to learn about how communities get involved when preparing for disasters.” The team of 10 is from all over the country, representing the states of California, Virginia, Michigan, Nevada, Missouri, Oregon and Washington.

Gold 4 is looking forward to working with Region 10 and community members in increasing awareness and knowledge of local natural hazards and empowering individuals and families to take charge of their own disaster preparedness.

To stay updated on Gold 4 and their work with communities and FEMA, you can ‘like’ their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/G4FEMACorps

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, national service program in which 1,200 young adults serve nationwide each year. During their 10-month term, Corps Members – all 18 to 24 years old – work on teams of 8 to 12 on projects that address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Members work on a series of different projects, typically lasting six to eight weeks each, to mentor students, construct and rehabilitate low-income housing, respond to natural disasters, clean up streams, help communities develop emergency plans, and address countless other local needs. The Pacific Region campus in Sacramento is one of five regional hubs in the United States and serves ten states in the western part of the country. The other campuses are located in Denver, Colorado; Perry Point, Maryland; Vinton, Iowa; and Vicksburg, Mississippi.

In exchange for their service, Corps Members receive $5,550 to help pay for college, or to pay back existing student loans. Other benefits include a small living stipend, room and board, leadership development, increased self-confidence, and the knowledge that, through active citizenship, people can indeed make a difference. AmeriCorps NCCC is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. For more information about AmeriCorps NCCC, visit the website at www.americorps.gov/nccc.

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FEMA Corps Arrives to Work with Local Communities on Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Recovery Center In Hattiesburg To Close March 27

PURVIS, Miss. – The MEMA and FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Hattiesburg will close for good at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 27.

Mississippians affected by the recent severe weather, tornadoes and flooding can meet face-to-face with disaster-recovery specialists at the center until that time. Also on hand are representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration who can advise survivors about low-interest loans that might be vailable to homeowners and renters. The SBA can also help businesses of any size with disaster-related losses or damages.

“We want to ensure that everyone in the area that was affected by the severe weather is aware of the assistance that may be available to help get them back on their feet,” said MEMA Director Robert Latham. “We urge anyone who has not registered with FEMA to do so as soon as possible with the deadline just a few weeks away.”

“This is the last Disaster Recovery Center remaining open in Mississippi,” said Terry Quarles, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “We close the centers when we feel that the public has been sufficiently served and we can let our recovery specialists return home.”

The center, at Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12^th Ave., is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 23, it will be open from 8 a.m. to noon only.

Those seeking assistance to help recover from storm damages and losses should first register with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or with web-enabled smartphones or other wireless devices at m.fema.gov.

Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. C-Spire wireless customers can register by calling #362.

After the center closes, the websites and phones at FEMA will remain available for registrations and to follow the progress of any applications. The deadline to register with FEMA or to apply to SBA for any loan is April 15.

The declared counties are Forrest, Greene, Lamar, Marion, Jefferson Davis, Perry and Wayne.

Since the president made these counties eligible for FEMA assistance, nearly $2.75 million has been disbursed in FEMA grants; SBA has dispensed $2.3 million in low-interest loans.

About 3,000 people in Mississippi have registered for assistance, and nearly 2,000 have visited the Disaster Centers that MEMA and FEMA opened after the storms.

For more information on Mississippi’s disaster recovery, visit www.msema.org, www.fema.gov/disaster/4101 and www.fema.gov/blog.

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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Disaster Recovery Center In Hattiesburg To Close March 27

Disaster Recovery Center In Lamar Park To Close Friday

PURVIS, Miss. – The Disaster Recovery Center in Lamar Park at 226 Pinewood Dr. will close Friday, March 15, at 6 p.m., according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

One other DRC in Mississippi will remain open at the Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12^th Avenue in Hattiesburg. People who are unable to visit the Lamar Park facility before it closes can talk to disaster specialists at the Ben McNair center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until further notice.

At the DRC, applicants and others with questions about disaster recovery can meet face-to-face with state and federal specialists who can provide information and answer questions about storm-related assistance. Also on hand at the DRC are representatives from the US Small Business Administration who can help survivors understand and complete applications for low-interest disaster loans.

For those unable to visit the centers, help is readily available by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. C-Spire Wireless customers can reach FEMA by calling #362. Disaster survivors can register for assistance at these numbers or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. With an internet-capable smartphone or other PDA, the address is m.fema.gov.

The SBA toll-free number is 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. SBA help also is available by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or on the web at www.sba.gov.

MEMA and FEMA urge people affected by the recent storms and flooding to register with FEMA before visiting the center.

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Originally posted here:

Disaster Recovery Center In Lamar Park To Close Friday

Reach Out For Help When Disaster-Related Stress Strikes

PURVIS, Miss. – Mississippians facing the loss of their homes, businesses or cherished possessions after the recent tornadoes may be struggling also with the emotional impact of the disaster. It is not uncommon for those living through a disaster to suffer anxiety, sorrow and depression. These emotions can emerge days, weeks or even months later.

Everyone has a different way of coping. Many find that talking about what has happened with trusted friends or family helps them move forward. Seeking and accepting help from counseling services also can be effective and health-restoring.

Brochures and other information are available at the MEMA/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, at:

Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg
Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive, Hattiesburg

Pine Belt Mental Health Resources, with offices in nine Mississippi counties, operates a crisis-counseling hotline: 601-544-4641. See the PBMHR website at www.pbmhr.com

A Disaster Distress Helpline is run by the federal government under the Department of Health and Human Services. Trained crisis counselors are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-985-5990. TTY is 800-846-8517. You can text the helpline as well: “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

You can reach the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for information and referrals to certified service providers online at http://www.dmh.ms.gov.

Some of the most common signs of stress include:

Difficulty communicating or sleeping.
Depression, sadness or feelings of hopelessness.
Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol.
Limited attention span and poor performance at work or school.
Headaches and stomach problems, flu-like symptoms, disorientation or confusion.
Reluctance to leave home (temporary agoraphobia).
Mood swings and frequent bouts of crying.
Overwhelming feelings of guilt and self-doubt.

Disaster-related anxiety can be especially acute among older adults, particularly those living alone and somewhat isolated from friends and family. It is not unusual for seniors to become withdrawn, agitated and disoriented in the wake of terrifying events. Family and others should be on the lookout for these and other stress-related problems and try to address them immediately.

Children also can be severely affected by a disaster. Some simple ways to help calm their anxieties include:

Keeping routines as consistent as possible and answer questions openly and honestly at a level a child can understand.
Allowing your kids to talk about the disaster. Listen to their concerns and questions. Let them know it is OK to feel angry or sad.
Reassuring them that they are loved and will be cared for.
Providing a peaceful household to the extent possible under the circumstances.
Limiting their exposure to frank adult discussions and lurid news reports about the disaster.

For more information, visit www.ready.gov/coping-with-disaster or http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth.

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Reach Out For Help When Disaster-Related Stress Strikes

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