Alabamians Can Go To Home Depot, Lowes For FEMA Advice On Rebuilding Stronger

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As recovery continues from the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that hit Alabama, federal officials are offering help on how to rebuild “stronger and safer” for the next disaster.

Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at Home Depot and Lowe’s home improvement stores around Alabama to offer residents information about rebuilding their flood- and wind-damaged homes to make them better able to withstand future disasters.

“When you’re picking up after a disaster, preparing for the next one is sometimes the last thing on your mind,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer, Albie Lewis. “But our mitigation specialists can show you easy ways to make your home or business ‘better and safer’ the next time tornadoes, flooding or high winds hit.”

Mitigation advisors can provide valuable information on how to reinforce structures against flooding and other hazards, how to construct a safe room, and information on the National Flood Insurance Program.

They can also offer advice on mold and mildew cleanup, rebuilding structures to resist high winds, and how electrical systems, furnaces and other appliances can be protected from flooding. Free publications on a variety of rebuilding and recovery topics will also be available.

“Here in Alabama, we know that making our homes, businesses, and communities more resilient just makes sense,” said Alabama’s State Coordinating Officer, Jeff Byard. “If there are cost-effective ways to make you, your family and your property safer the next time a disaster strikes, why wouldn’t you do it?”

Mitigation teams will be at the following stores on the following dates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

 

June 20-21, June 23-25                                                                    

Jefferson County

Home Depot              

6405 Flintridge Drive

Fairfield, AL 35064

 

Lowe’s 

1201 19th Street North

Bessemer, AL 35020

 

Mobile County

Home Depot  

755 Schillinger Road South  

Mobile, AL 36695

                                                                                                                                   

June 27-28, June 30                                                              

Lee County

Home Depot 

2190 Tiger Town Parkway

Opelika, AL 36801

 

Baldwin County

Home Depot

2899 S McKenzie Street       

Foley, AL 36535        

In addition to the mitigation advisors, an Individual Assistance representative will also be on hand to provide general information about assistance to survivors. For specific case information, survivors can contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

To download materials on a variety of topics about strengthening property against tornadoes, flooding or other hazards, visit:

Link to original: 

Alabamians Can Go To Home Depot, Lowes For FEMA Advice On Rebuilding Stronger

Recovery Centers in Baldwin County and Mobile to become SBA Disaster Loan Centers June 13

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Baldwin County and Mobile County will become SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers at the same locations beginning Friday, June 13, at 9 a.m.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Both FEMA and SBA staff will be on hand.

The Mobile center is at:

  • The Old Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4851 Museum Dr., Mobile, AL, 36608.

The Baldwin County centers are at:

  • Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section St., Fairhope, AL, 36532;
  • Elberta Town Hall, 10352 Main St., Elberta, AL, 36530.

After the FEMA centers become SBA centers, survivors will still be able to contact FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available.

The deadline for individuals to register for federal disaster assistance and apply for SBA disaster loans is July 1, 2014.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace uncompensated losses. The SBA may lend up to $200,000 to repair or replace homes and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Loans to businesses, including nonprofits, are available up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, and other business assets.  Eligible businesses and non-profits can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the

disaster.

The deadline for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications is February 2, 2015.

Link to article: 

Recovery Centers in Baldwin County and Mobile to become SBA Disaster Loan Centers June 13

Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Receive More Than $1.3 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Receive More Than $1.3 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

DENTON, Texas — Emergency management agencies in four states – Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas – have been awarded more than $1.3 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In Arkansas, the grants total $303,459 and cover 10 Power Lift Cots and Stretchers for the Washington County Regional Ambulance Authority Central Emergency Medical Services in Fayetteville; and firefighting gear for the Lone Rock Volunteer Fire Department in Norfork, the North Pulaski Fire Protection District 15 in Jacksonville, the Sherwood Fire Department and the city of Vilonia.

In Louisiana, the grants total $470,203 and cover firefighting gear for the Allen Parish Fire District 5 in Oberlin, the Lafourche Crossing 308 Volunteer Fire Department in Thibodaux and the Marksville Fire Department.

In Oklahoma, the grants total $166,588 and cover communications equipment for the Country Corner Fire District in Sperry; a wellness and fitness program for the Drumright Fire Department; and firefighting equipment for the Boise City Volunteer Fire Department.

In Texas, the grants total $390,449 and cover firefighting equipment for the Sudan Fire/Emergency Medical Services, the Lancaster Fire Department, the 3N1 Volunteer Fire Department in Rosanky and the Kountze Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; power stretchers and a wellness and fitness program for the Jersey Village Fire Department; and training for the Amarillo Fire Department.

The federal grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders get critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

For more information on the AFG program, visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant.

###

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 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.                                                                                    

Visit site:  

Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Receive More Than $1.3 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

Disaster Recovery Center in Oneonta Closing May 31

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The center, operated by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is located at Oneonta Recreation Park – City Depot, Chamber of Commerce Room, 28161 State Highway 75, Oneonta, 35121

The center will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the final day.

After the center closes, survivors will still be able to contact FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at  m.fema.gov, or by phone at 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors may also visit any of the open Recovery Centers in Alabama currently open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the following locations:

·    Baldwin County

o Elberta Town Hall,10352 Main St., Elberta, 36530

o Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section St., 3653

·    Blount County:

o Oneonta Recreation Park – City Depot, Chamber of Commerce Room,

28161 State Highway 75, Oneonta, 35121

(Closes May 31, 6 p.m.)

·    Jefferson County:

o Maurice C. West Community Center, 171 2nd St. SW, Graysville 35073

o Lawson State Community College, 1100 9th Ave SW, Bessemer, 35022

·    Limestone County:

o Ripley Woodmen of the World Hall, 11281 Ripley Road, Athens, 35611

·    Mobile County:

o Old Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile, 36608

·    Tuscaloosa County:

o Salvation Army Building, 1601 University Blvd. East, Tuscaloosa, 35404

(Closes May 31, 6 p.m.)

The deadline to register for disaster assistance is July 1, 2014.

Original post:

Disaster Recovery Center in Oneonta Closing May 31

More Than $10 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

JACKSON, Miss. – Federal assistance approved for disaster survivors in 12 Mississippi counties has reached more than $10 million.

Just three weeks after tornadoes ripped through Mississippi, FEMA’s National Mobile Disaster Hospital opened Monday in Louisville, Miss. and is being operated by the staff of the Winston Medical Center, which was severely damaged by a tornado April 28. The temporary facility will remain in place until the medical center is rebuilt. About 85 percent of the medical center staff is employed to operate the mobile hospital.

The opening, attended by Governor Bryant and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, was the culmination of coordination and teamwork by MEMA, the Mississippi Department of Health, the State of North Carolina, Winston County, the city of Louisville, North Carolina Baptist Men and Women, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and FEMA. This is the first time the National Mobile Disaster Hospital has been used as a fully operational hospital.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is leading a joint Long-Term Housing Task Force, which includes FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department, along with state and local officials, volunteers and the private sector to assess and provide assistance to families with housing needs.

Here is a summary through Thursday, May 22, of all federal assistance to individuals and households in the 12 counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance as a result of the April 28 through May 3, 2014, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

  • More than $10 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
  • More than $6.3 million in low-interest disaster home loans has been approved by SBA for 89 homeowners and renters.
  • More than $3.9 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
    • More than $3 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
    • Nearly $935,000 approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and household possessions. Included is approval of assistance with funeral expenses for two disaster-related deaths. Other funeral expense requests are pending.
  • More than 4,400 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
    • In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA refers some survivors to those agencies.
    • All businesses that contact FEMA are also referred to the SBA.
    • Others may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
  • 2,279 home inspections completed.
  • More than 3,700 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
  • 8 disaster recovery centers are open across the affected areas.
  • FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews have visited 7,577 dwellings and assisted 5,209 survivors.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and households in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages.

For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster. SBA representatives are available at ALL disaster recovery centers. Disaster recovery center locations can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Original source: 

More Than $10 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

Spring Tornadoes Are an Important Reminder to Prepare

DENVER – A year ago Tuesday, on May 20, an EF5 tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, killing 24 and leaving a 17-mile trail of destruction.

A month later, June 20, will be the anniversary of the 1957 EF5 tornado in Fargo that killed 10 and was part of a family of five tornadoes that wreaked havoc for almost 70 miles, from Buffalo, North Dakota, to Dale, Minnesota. The tornado and its damage were studied extensively by T. Theodore Fujita of the University of Chicago, which led to his later development of the 1-5 F-Scale for ranking tornadoes. (The Fargo tornado was ranked in retrospect.) 

Both anniversaries are a poignant reminder of the importance of preparing for tornadoes, point out emergency managers from the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management and from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). North Dakota gets an average of 23 reported tornadoes per year, mostly in June, July and August.

The state’s website (http://www.nd.gov/des/uploads/resources/150/tornadotips.pdf) provides these suggestions for what to do during a tornado:

  • In a house with a basement: Avoid windows. Get in the basement and under some kind of sturdy protection (heavy table or work bench), or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag. Know where very heavy objects rest on the floor above (pianos, refrigerators, waterbeds, etc.) and do not go under them. They may fall down through a weakened floor and crush you.
  • In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an apartment: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down, and cover your head with your hands. A bath tub may offer a shell of partial protection. Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets, etc.), to protect against falling debris in case the roof and ceiling fail.
  • In an office building, hospital, or nursing home: Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building — away from glass. Crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly. Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost.
  • In a mobile home: Get out! Even if your home is tied down, you are probably safer outside, even if the only alternative is to seek shelter out in the open. Most tornadoes can destroy even tied-down mobile homes; and it is best not to play the low odds that yours will make it. If there is a sturdy permanent building within easy running distance, seek shelter there. Otherwise, lie flat on low ground away from your home, protecting your head. If possible, use open ground away from trees and cars, which can be blown onto you. The only fatality in the Northwood tornado remained in his home.
  • At school: Follow the drill! Go to the interior hall or room in an orderly way as you are told. Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your arms. Stay away from windows and large open rooms like gyms and auditoriums.
  • In a car or truck: Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado. If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Otherwise, park the car as quickly and safely as possible — out of the traffic lanes. Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If in the open country, run to low ground away from any cars which could roll over onto you. Lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
  • Outside: If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building. If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Get as far away from trees and cars as you can.
  • In a shopping mall or large store: Do not panic. Watch for others. Move as quickly as possible to an interior bathroom, storage room or other small enclosed area, away from windows.
  • In a church or theater: Do not panic. If possible, move quickly but orderly to an interior bathroom or hallway, away from windows. Crouch face-down and protect your head with your arms. If there is no time to do that, get under the seats or pews, protecting your head with your arms or hands.

Research shows that most people wait until bad news is confirmed by a second source before taking action. With tornadoes, act first, emergency officials warn. Take shelter yourself, then be the second source that confirms the emergency for others by phone or social media.

FEMA’s Ready.gov website cites a study of tornado damage in Marion, Illinois, that showed half of all tornado-related injuries came after the tornado, from rescue attempts, clean up, and so forth. Almost a third of the injuries came from stepping on nails. Be very careful when entering any damaged structure, and use battery-powered light if possible rather than candles to minimize the danger of fire or explosions.

A timeline of some of the most significant tornadoes to affect the six-state region covered by FEMA’s Denver regional office, with links for more information, is available at http://www.fema.gov/fema-region-8-tornado-timeline.

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.

 

Continued:

Spring Tornadoes Are an Important Reminder to Prepare

Local Emergency Managers Team Up to Get Ready Together for America’s PrepareAthon!

DENTON, Texas — Emergency managers in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area teamed up today to get ready together in case tornadoes hit North Texas in the future.

FEMA Region 6 in Denton, the city of Denton and the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (GCISD) conducted simultaneous tornado drills as part of a “National Day of Action” for a campaign called America’s PrepareAthon! The campaign encourages people to work collectively to be prepared personally and professionally by staying informed, creating a plan, building a kit and getting involved.

The city of Denton held a tornado drill at the main City Hall building.

“Tornados are one of our primary severe weather threats.  The city of Denton was pleased to participate with FEMA Region 6 in a National Day of Action to test our tornado shelter plans. We encourage all residents to visit www.KnowWhat2do.com and learn how to be prepared for severe storms and other types of potential emergencies we are susceptible to in north central Texas,” stated Michael Penaluna, emergency management coordinator. 

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD held its tornado drill at Cross Timbers Middle School.

“As a school district, we have students in our care for eight hours a day, on average, every school day. A lot can happen in that time, particularly with the weather, and we have to be ready to move entire schools or groups of schools into secure positions at a moment’s notice,” said Michele Linn, GCISD’s emergency management coordinator and director of risk management. “Practice is the key to swift action and we run drills such as these throughout the year to train students and staff on safety procedures. Having the opportunity to partner with our city emergency operations, first responders and regional experts from FEMA on today’s drill further strengthens our ties as a community and reinforces our common goal to provide safe and secure learning environments for our students and staff.”

FEMA Region 6 held its tornado drills at its campuses in Texas and Louisiana and at its disaster field offices in Oklahoma and New Mexico.

“Everyone should have a plan of action individually, for their families and their communities before a disaster strikes,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Practicing plans like we are today makes us safer and practicing, and preparing, together – as a team – just makes good sense.”

Visit www.ready.gov/prepare for more information on America’s PrepareAthon! You can find tools to stage your own emergency preparedness drills, as well as register any preparedness activities for you or your community. 

Original article:  

Local Emergency Managers Team Up to Get Ready Together for America’s PrepareAthon!

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.

See original:  

Recovery Centers to Close May 10; FEMA Assistance Still Available

As Local, State, Tribal, and Federal Partners Continue Supporting SR530 Slide Recovery, Saturday Recovery Centers Hours Are Extended

EVERETT, Wash. – As local, state, tribal, and federal partners continue SR530 Slide recovery efforts, Saturday hours at Disaster Recovery Centers have been extended. The centers are located in Arlington, Darrington and Oso. 

Starting Saturday, April 19, all DRCs will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Monday through Friday hours remain the same. The Centers are closed on Sundays.

Locations and new hours of operation of the recovery centers are as follows:

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

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday:  11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed on Sundays

Localized impacts of the mudslide disaster have necessitated a tailored approach to supporting survivors and grieving family members in Snohomish County – including members of the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip Tribes.

For instance, information and financial assistance with transportation and other access-related needs can be found at the Washington State Other Needs Assistance (ONA) Helpline: 800-688-3469 between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Assistance at the centers will meet the needs of survivors with disabilities. For individuals who have hearing and visual disabilities or are deaf, Disaster Recovery Centers can provide such accommodations as: captioned telephones, American Sign Language interpreters, available upon request; magnifiers and assistive listening devices and 711-Relay or Video Relay Services.
 

Originally posted here: 

As Local, State, Tribal, and Federal Partners Continue Supporting SR530 Slide Recovery, Saturday Recovery Centers Hours Are Extended

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.

Read More: 

As search continues, teams expand target focus on new areas

 Page 8 of 11  « First  ... « 6  7  8  9  10 » ...  Last »