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FEMA Invests $100 Million in Post-Tsunami Disaster Relief, Emergency Preparedness Improvements for American Samoa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2012

Media Contacts: Mary Simms (510) 301-7914, mary.simms@fema.dhs.gov; Matt Ocana, 801-540-7207, matt.ocana@noaa.gov; Daniel Langkilde, (684) 699-3801, dlangkilde2009@gmail.com

FEMA Invests $100 Million in Post-Tsunami Disaster Relief, Emergency Preparedness Improvements for American Samoa
NOAA will certify Territory as TsunamiReady this week

Honolulu, Hawaii — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded nearly $100 Million dollars in Post-Tsunami improvements to American Samoa for lifesaving emergency management systems that include an early warning siren system, 9-1-1 emergency call center and the completion of a formal tsunami hazard plan that proved instrumental in helping the island achieve the coveted status of TsunamiReady.

To be recognized as TsunamiReady, a community must establish a 24 hour warning point and emergency operations center, develop multiple ways to receive tsunami warnings and alert the public, develop a formal tsunami hazard plan, conduct emergency exercises and promote public readiness through community education. Given that American Samoa is located 120 miles away from the Tonga Trench, one of the fastest moving subduction zones in the world, tsunmi readiness is paramount to the island’s safety posture.

After meeting all federal requirements, this week the islands of Tutuila, Aunuu, Ofu, Olosega and Tau and all of the National Park of American Samoa have attained the federal NOAA/NWS designation of TsunamiReady and will be officially designated as TsunamiReady in a ceremony with senior American Samoan Government, NOAA and FEMA officials.

“This subduction zone will continue to produce earthquakes and potentially damaging tsunamis,” said Regional Administrator Nancy Ward. “American Samoa Government officials have truly made preparedness one of their most important priorities. Their training and outreach programs have achieved remarkable results that will help save future lives.”

On September 29, 2009 the South Pacific Tsunami was generated by a series of earthquakes that took place at possibly the closest point of this trench to American Samoa, causing fatalities and regional devastation. Resources have been invested by federal, territorial, voluntary and private sectors partners since the killer wave came ashore in 2009 that have helped the territory to achieve a heightened level of preparedness.

The whole community of American Samoa has come together during the past three years to make the citizens of the islands safer and better prepared to meet a wide variety of threats.

“This is a perfect example of the resilience of the Pacific Islanders and the value of government coordination and cooperation. Everyone met this disaster head on and never stopped moving forward. This recognition is something that the people of American Samoa and their many partners can be very proud of,” said Jeff LaDouce, Director of NOAA’s National Weather Service Pacific Region.

Post-Tsunami FEMA funded projects include: the purchase of a generator and two ambulances for LBJ hospital and establishing an Emergency 9-1-1 Call Center. In addition, funds were used to purchase and install an early warning siren system complete with 48 sirens throughout American Samoa. Funds were also used to improve airport security and to purchase equipment for American Samoa Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Operation Center. Communications equipment and Official vehicles for the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security were also acquired. The Land-Mobile-Radio project contract has been awarded and is the next phase to be implemented to improve communication capability on the island.

FEMA’s aggregated financial assistance to long term recovery have included:

• Awarding more than $37 million in FEMA’s Individual Assistance programs. This includes assistance under various FEMA programs, including Housing Assistance, Other Needs Assistance that provided support for dental, medical, moving, storage and a variety of other needs

• The award of more than $54 million to the ASG to rebuild public infrastructure, mitigate against future disasters and reimburse the American Samoa government for some of the money spent during the initial response.

• In consultation with the American Samoan Government, FEMA has rebuilt and turned over 39 permanent replacement homes to deserving American Samoan families who lost their homes as a result of the devastating tsunami.

• The award of more than $8 Million in Homeland Security Grant Program funds and Public Safety Interoperable Communications funding used for planning and to help American Samoa to be more prepared for natural disasters, train first responders and citizens of American Samoa and provide much needed communication equipment.

The TsunamiReady program is administered by the National Weather Service as a way to increase and strengthen the ability of communities to prepare for, mitigate, and recover from natural hazards. The TsunamiReady ceremony for the Territory of American Samoa and the National Park of American Samoa, will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Maota Samoa at Utulei Beach on Friday, September 28, 2012, one day before the 3rd anniversary of the devastating 2009 South Pacific Tsunami.

An American Samoa Tsunami Study was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District in cooperation with the American Samoa Government to help strengthen American Samoa’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from tsunami hazards. To view the study visit: http://astsunamiresilience.org/reports/

To learn more about this disaster, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/1859

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA: To request photos from the event and/or schedule an interview, please email your request to External Affairs Officer Mary Simms at mary.simms@fema.dhs.gov. Please include your name, media affiliation and contact information in your request.

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FEMA Invests $100 Million in Post-Tsunami Disaster Relief, Emergency Preparedness Improvements for American Samoa

Hurricane Isaac Recovery Questions Answered In Vicksburg

CLINTON, Miss. – FEMA specialists are in Vicksburg to help people with storm losses caused by Hurricane Isaac.

The specialists can answer questions from survivors on the status of their disaster assistance applications. They will be at the following location:

Pemberton Mall

3505 Pemberton Square

Vicksburg, MS 39180

Hours are noon until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27 and 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28 through Friday, Oct. 5.

Before visiting, those with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

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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.

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Hurricane Isaac Recovery Questions Answered In Vicksburg

Gramercy Disaster Recovery Center to Close Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Survivors in St. James Parish have only a few days left to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center located in Gramercy, as the center closes at 6 p.m.

on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Although the center will be closing, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the closing at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The Gramercy center is located at:

New Zion Christian Center

216 W. Main St.

Gramercy, LA 70052

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday.

Recovery centers have opened in many affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Gramercy Disaster Recovery Center to Close Saturday

Disaster Unemployment Benefits Available For Mississippi Workers Affected By Hurricane Isaac

CLINTON, Miss. – People who lost work due to Hurricane Isaac may be eligible for disaster unemployment benefits, but deadlines are approaching.

Those living or working in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River counties have until October 4 to apply.

Residents and workers in Adams, Amite, Clarke, Forrest, George, Hinds, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Stone, Walthall, Warren and Wilkinson counties have until October 10 to apply for unemployment benefits.

Those who may be eligible include:

Self-employed individuals who lived or worked in the affected areas during the storm and those who are unemployed as a result of the storm.
Workers who were unable to reach their jobs.
Those who were to begin employment because they were unable to travel due to the disaster.
Individuals who became the primary or major wage earner due to the disaster-related death of the head of the household.
Those who cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the storm.
Individuals who can no longer work or lost work as a result of physical damage or destruction of a business.

To apply for disaster unemployment assistance, go online to www.mdes.ms.gov, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or, call the toll-free number 888-844-3577 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those requiring TTY assistance may call 800-582-2233.

The program is funded by FEMA and administered by the state of Mississippi.

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Original post:

Disaster Unemployment Benefits Available For Mississippi Workers Affected By Hurricane Isaac

President Declares Major Disaster for the State of Washington

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to Washington to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe storm, straight-line winds and flooding on July 20, 2012.

Federal funding is 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 the severe storm, straight-line winds, and flooding in Ferry and Okanogan counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

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

Kenneth K. Suiso has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Suiso 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 http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only.

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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President Declares Major Disaster for the State of Washington

Morgan City Disaster Recovery Center to Close Friday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Survivors in St. Mary Parish have only a few days left to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center located in Morgan City, as the center closes at 6 p.m. on Friday.

The Morgan City center is located at:

728 Myrtle St.

Morgan City, LA 70308

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 28

Recovery centers have opened in several affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

Morgan City Disaster Recovery Center to Close Friday

Stone County Disaster Center Open Through Wednesday

CLINTON, Miss. – The MEMA/FEMA disaster recovery center for Hinds County, located at the Stone County Safe Room, 1084 Project Rd., Wiggins, will close effective 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26.

After that date, people affected by Hurricane Isaac still can register or get help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or visit a recovery center in another county.

In addition to going on line, other ways to get assistance include:

By smartphone at m.fema.gov;
By phone, call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;
TTY 800-462-7585; and
Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362.

To find a disaster recovery center nearest you, go online to the

DRC Locator at: https://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/drcLocator.jsp. Or, call 800-621-3362.

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Stone County Disaster Center Open Through Wednesday

Adams County Disaster Center Open Through Wednesday

Main Content

Release date:

September 24, 2012

Release Number:

DR-40801-028

CLINTON, Miss. – The MEMA/FEMA disaster recovery center for Adams County, located at Parkway Baptist Church, 117 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, Natchez, will remain open through Wednesday, Sept. 26.

After that date, people affected by Hurricane Isaac can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Other ways to get assistance include:

By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;
By smartphone at m.fema.gov;
TTY 800-462-7585; and
Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362.

Or, to find a disaster recovery center nearest you, go online to the

DRC Locator at: https://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/drcLocator.jsp. Or, call 800-621-3362.

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Last Updated:

September 25, 2012 – 08:44

State or Region:

Mississippi

Related Disaster:

Mississippi Hurricane Isaac

Link to original –

Adams County Disaster Center Open Through Wednesday

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Jefferson Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. — Two State/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Jefferson Parish through Oct. 2 to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

The recovery centers are located at:

Marrero

5801 Leo Kerner Pkwy.

Marrero, LA 70072

Jefferson

6716 W Metairie Ave.

Metairie, LA 70003

The centers are open every day except Sunday through Oct. 2. Hours for both centers are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the recovery centers, hurricane survivors in Jefferson Parish can speak directly with federal specialists who can provide answers to their questions about the types of assistance available to eligible applicants, check on the status of a survivor’s application, provide answers about ineligibility letters and filing an appeal, and explain other programs that may be available to them. The agency representatives do not distribute cash, checks or debit cards.

“Visiting a center is a great opportunity for people to talk with recovery specialists and get questions answered,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “Although it’s a good idea to register with FEMA before visiting a center, these caring professionals are there to walk you through the process if you need help.”

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on hand to answer questions, explain the application process and help each resident or business owner apply to SBA. For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Continue at source –

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Jefferson Parish

FEMA Public Assistance Extended in Eight Parishes

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today has extended federal disaster aid in eight Louisiana parishes to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Isaac.

Eligible applicants in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Livingston, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St John the Baptist and West Feliciana parishes can now apply for FEMA Public Assistance (PA) reimbursement for repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other facilities.

The eight parishes already had been designated for FEMA Public Assistance funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures

“Getting hurricane-affected communities up and running is an important aspect of the overall recovery effort,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “Supplementary funding for infrastructure repairs in these parishes will also help people and businesses recover from the storm.”

Supplementary funding under the PA program goes to the state and its agencies, local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations. Under the program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for 75 percent of eligible costs, while the applicant covers the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.

In all, current federal disaster declaration designates a total of 55 parishes as eligible to apply for some level of FEMA Public Assistance.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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 us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, the R6 Hurricane Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA Public Assistance Extended in Eight Parishes

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FEMA Invests $100 Million in Post-Tsunami Disaster Relief, Emergency Preparedness Improvements for American SamoaNOAA will certify Territory as TsunamiReady this week

Adams County Disaster Center Open Through Wednesday

FEMA Invests $100 Million in Post-Tsunami Disaster Relief, Emergency Preparedness Improvements for American Samoa
NOAA will certify Territory as TsunamiReady this week