In Route to Be Better Prepared

SAN JUAN, PR – They are young, enthusiastic and prepared to respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards in their school and communities. A few weeks ago a group of teenagers in Humacao, led by Gabriela Rodriguez-Boria, completed their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training as part of Gabriela’s project as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region II Youth Council Representative.

While seeking opportunities to prepare youngsters to be ready before and after a disaster strikes, Gabriela’s project includes CERT training for teenagers. CERT is a program that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. With a solid commitment to encourage that generations are better aware of emergency preparedness, FEMA counts on programs, such as CERT and projects like Gabriela’s to help communities become smarter and more resilient sooner.

“As we prepare our plans, we have to keep in mind the importance of including younger audiences in the process. Youngsters have a significant influence on their peers and families, and we see Gabriela and her project as a good example. She drives this preparedness message further on,” said FEMA’s Caribbean Area Division Director, Alejandro De La Campa.

Thirteen-year old Gabriela, organized a CERT of approximately 15-20 students at the school she attends, the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro in Humacao. Her parents and this private school have been very supportive and involved in Gabriela’s activities to the point of completing various emergency preparedness courses.

“We are organizing a Preparedness Day at our school and plan to replicate the Teen CERT training in other schools in neighboring communities.  We can get our schools, neighbors, churches, families and friends involved in similar activities so they can learn surviving techniques for future emergencies. This is my goal,” said Gabriela, who represents FEMA Region II in the Youth Preparedness Council. Puerto Rico is one of the jurisdictions under this Region, which also includes New York, New Jersey and the US Virgin Islands. 

This week, March 3-9, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FEMA have partnered again for the National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, futhering the readiness message and encouraging every one in our communities to get better prepared for severe weather events.  Gabriela’s project represents an innovative and personal approach to improve emergency preparedness in her community.

There is additional information about Gabriela’s project and the Youth Council at www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex. If you are interested in becoming a CERT member, locate the nearest CERT team or check for upcoming training opportunities, visit www.citizencorps.gov/cert. Learn more about emergency preparedness and how to improve your community resiliency to emergency situations by visiting www.fema.gov, www.weather.gov or www.ready.gov.

FEMA News Desk (787) 296-3554, 3560

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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.

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In Route to Be Better Prepared

FEMA and NOAA Promote National Flood Safety Awareness Week

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to improve public awareness for National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 18-22, 2013.  The agencies’ goal is to improve understanding about flood risk among individuals, families, businesses and communities.  Knowledge and the right precautions can protect families, homes and finances.

“We’ve seen the devastation that floods can cause.  They can happen at any time, anywhere across our region, which means we all need to be prepared now,” said FEMA Region III Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “Having a flood insurance policy for your home or business is just one way to prepare; there are also simple steps you can take now to be prepared for flooding such as developing a family emergency plan, having an emergency supply kit ready to go, and learning about your flood risk.”

Floods are the most common hazard in the United States.  However, not all floods are alike. Floods typically occur when too much rain falls or snow melts too quickly.  Chunks of ice from a thawing river can block its normal flow and force water out of its banks. While some floods develop slowly, flash floods develop suddenly.  Hurricanes can bring flooding to areas far inland from where they first hit the coast, as we witnessed two years ago from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, and last year from Hurricane Sandy.

There are simple steps citizens can take today to reduce their risk to all types of floods.  Flood Safety Awareness Week is an excellent time for people and communities to learn about their flood risk and implement precautions to mitigate the threat to life and property.

“Flooding is dangerous and costly, killing nearly 100 people and causing an average of eight billion dollars in property damage in the United States each year,” said Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, director, NOAA’s National Weather Service, which produces an array of flood outlooks and forecasts, including watches and life-saving warnings.  “A weather-ready nation is a prepared nation; one that will reduce flood losses by planning ahead, staying abreast of weather forecasts, and heeding the warnings.”

Dr. Uccellini emphasized that a primary flood killer is flooded roadways.  People should never attempt to drive through them, but should “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” NOAA’s flood safety slogan.

NOAA will issue the 2013 U.S. Spring Outlook and flood assessment on March 21.

FEMA and NOAA will provide the public with key information related to flood hazards, and ways to protect yourself and your property each day of National Flood Safety Awareness week. 

For more information on flood safety tips and information, visit ready.gov/floods or the Spanish-language web site listo.gov.  For information on how to obtain a flood insurance policy, visit floodsmart.gov.

 

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.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.  Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

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FEMA and NOAA Promote National Flood Safety Awareness Week

FEMA Awards More Than $2.7 Million to Texas for University of Texas Medical Branch Mitigation Measures

DENTON, Texas – More than $2.7 million was recently awarded to the state of Texas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the implementation of mitigation measures during repairs to the University of Texas Medical Branch’s (UTMB) 1902 Harborside Building.

Storm surge from Hurricane Ike flooded the 1902 Harborside Building which houses medical records; payroll information; acquisitions; information systems and print shop functions. Hurricane-force winds also damaged the roof and exterior façade.

The FEMA funding, as part of the repair process, allows UTMB to incorporate flood-proofing measures such as replacing the first-floor slab; reinforcing and waterproofing perimeter walls; installing flood gates at first-floor-level doorways; and relocating mechanical, plumbing and electrical equipment to the second floor.

“The UTMB facilities play a critical role for the city of Galveston, serving citizens and their healthcare needs,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “These flood-proofing measures will reduce the threat of future flood damage to the 1902 Harborside Building. We are proud of the work that is being done, in conjunction with our local and state partners, to help restore these facilities after Hurricane Ike.”

FEMA’s contribution, made possible by a Public Assistance grant, represents a 90 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Texas; the state then forwards the grant to the eligible applicant.
                                                                        
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.

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FEMA Awards More Than $2.7 Million to Texas for University of Texas Medical Branch Mitigation Measures

$2 billion provided to NY survivors by FEMA, SBA

$2 billion provided to NY survivors by FEMA, SBA

Main Content

Release date:

March 1, 2013

Release Number:

NR-180

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $2 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. This includes:

  • Nearly $918 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
    • More than $793 million for housing assistance
    • More than $124 million for other needs
  • More than $1.1 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses

Other assistance:

  • More than $717 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and eligible nonprofit organizations that serve the public
  • More than $2.6 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
  • 5.3 million cubic yards of debris removed
  • 269,192 people contacted FEMA for help or information
  • 180,406 housing inspections completed
  • 164,194 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
  • More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
  • 25 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. The phone lines operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, seven days a week.

Last Updated:

March 1, 2013 – 13:10

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

From: 

$2 billion provided to NY survivors by FEMA, SBA

Getting Things Done for Mississippi

PURVIS, Miss. – A tight-knit group of nine drove from a disaster assignment in New York to report to another, hundreds of miles away in Mississippi, upholding their pledge to “get things done” for America.

“After working together for six months, we’re a good team,” said Katelyn Eilbeck, 22, of Ohio about their disaster work.

The team is part of FEMA Corps, a new unit of AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps whose members will be devoted solely to FEMA disaster response and recovery efforts. The partnership between FEMA and NCCC was formed in 2012 with the intent of helping the agency respond to disasters while promoting an ethic of national service and civic engagement among corps members.

The team, just arrived from New York, began its FEMA odyssey in this state with training at the Vicksburg Southern Region Campus of the FEMA Corps and National Civilian Community Corps programs; Vicksburg is also their base. Now they are helping Mississippians recover from recent tornadoes, storms, and flooding.  A day after they arrived in Hattiesburg, the nine embraced their tasks, working in the heavily-damaged communities in and around Hattiesburg.

Some were embedded with FEMA Community Relations teams, knocking on doors passing out information; others worked at Disaster Recovery Centers meeting survivors face-to-face, providing a sympathetic ear and directing them to the right federal and state staffers for assistance. One corps member helped out at the Disaster Information Station at the University of Southern Mississippi providing information to students and faculty affected by the disaster; others worked at the MEMA-FEMA Joint Field Office to help the voluntary agencies contact applicants, and to assist external affairs in their daily tasks reaching out to the community and government leaders. FEMA Corps continues to roll up their sleeves and pitch in wherever needed.

This is all part of the FEMA Corps initiative to engage young adults ages 18 to 24 to provide ten months of full-time service on disaster response and recovery projects.  Members are deployed to assignments ranging from working directly with disaster survivors to supporting disaster recovery centers to sharing disaster response and rebuilding information with the public.

After completing 1,700 hours of service, FEMA Corps members will receive a $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for tuition or pay student loans.  It’s a win-win for the agency and for the young adults.

Some FEMA Corps teams, including the one sent to Mississippi, may team up with voluntary agencies one day a week to work on community service projects – providing there is time and opportunity.

“We’ve gone to survivors’ homes to help take out debris, including insulation and drywall and we scrubbed and sprayed for mold,” said Eilbeck about community service. They expect to do the same in Mississippi.

Life can be spartan on the FEMA Corps trail. Teams share tight lodging – sometimes seven women to a room with one bathroom. For several months, a decommissioned military ship activated by the federal government served as temporary home.  They pool meager funds to prepare communal meals.

“It can be somewhat stressful,” said team member Jack Brinck, 22, of Texas. “We’re pulled out of our comfort zones – for some it’s the first time away from home – but it’s a learning experience and quite rewarding.”

Eilbeck says they support each other, working through the challenges. They use what they learn about their own team’s dynamics and carry it to their assignments involving FEMA’s stakeholders – and to their encounters with disaster survivors.

In Mississippi just a few days, the team identifies strongly with the state’s recovery mission; they feel connected to those whose lives have been turned upside down in the Pine Belt. FEMA Corps is serving as a key part of FEMA’s disaster recovery mission. They’re getting things done for Mississippi.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

 

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Getting Things Done for Mississippi

3 Months Remain Before Ellis Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

 

DENTON, Texas –– In three months, on Monday, June 3, 2013, new flood maps for Ellis County, Texas will become effective.  Before that date, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance.

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

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

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, residents can contact their local floodplain administrator.  

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

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

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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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6  and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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3 Months Remain Before Ellis Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

New Flood Maps Show Updated Flood Risks Throughout Upper Chattahoochee River Region

ATLANTA – New flood insurance rate maps will soon go into effect in metro Atlanta for communities in the Upper Chattahoochee River Region, specifically in Cobb, Douglas, Forsyth, Gwinnett, DeKalb and Fulton counties.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have been working with county and municipal governments over the last several years to incorporate the best available data into these flood maps. The ultimate goal of the maps is to protect property owners and communities by showing the extent of flood risk in their areas. Flood maps also help to determine flood insurance rating and building requirements.

Flood maps for Cobb, Douglas, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties will be effective on March 4, 2013; maps for DeKalb County will be effective in May, and maps for Fulton County will be effective in September. Coweta County’s flood maps were effective earlier this month. If you live in an area with a new map, visit www.GeorgiaDFIRM.com to find your flood risk online. You can also contact your local floodplain manager with questions about the new maps, and to learn more about flood risks in your community.  

These updated maps are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data has been incorporated, and the latest science has been used to make them more accurate. Flood risks change over time due to construction, development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors. These changes send water flowing in new directions, creating flood risks that didn’t exist previously—precisely why flood maps must be updated periodically. 

The historic September 2009 flooding in North Georgia is a reminder of how devastating disasters can be.  We may not know when the next one will strike, but we can protect ourselves by knowing what risks exist in our communities, and to prepare for them. 

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Even people living in lower risk areas can experience flooding, which is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. In fact, about 25 percent of flood insurance claims occur in lower risk flood zones.

Regardless of flood zone, everyone should take steps to financially protect themselves from a flood disaster which affects far too many communities each year. The primary way to do this is by purchasing flood insurance. Since standard homeowner’s, business owner’s, and renter’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. 

Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program, a voluntary program administered by the FEMA. You can purchase flood insurance policies from state-licensed property and casualty insurance agents who you deal with for other property insurance needs, or visit www.floodsmart.gov to locate an agent. 

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.

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New Flood Maps Show Updated Flood Risks Throughout Upper Chattahoochee River Region

Talk to FEMA Mitigation Experts at Spring Home Show in Hartford This Weekend

Talk to FEMA Mitigation Experts at Spring Home Show in Hartford This Weekend

Main Content

Release date:

February 28, 2013

Release Number:

072

 

WINDSOR, Conn. — Hazard Mitigation experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be on hand at the Spring Home Show this weekend at the XL Center in downtown Hartford.

FEMA’s experts can be found at booth No. 624 at the show, which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the XL Center, located at 1 Civic Center Plaza.

Homeowners and builders can get answers to questions about how to undertake home repairs in a more disaster-resistant or resilient way. FEMA’s Mitigation specialists will have several free and accessible publications to offer, and can provide tips on topics including:

  •  Retrofitting utilities;
  •  Flood-resistant building materials;
  •  Retrofitting residential structures;
  •  Basic emergency management and disaster preparedness.

The Spring Home Show will feature more than 800 vendors.

Last Updated:

February 28, 2013 – 14:17

State or Region:

Connecticut

Related Disaster:

Connecticut Hurricane Sandy

Taken from:

Talk to FEMA Mitigation Experts at Spring Home Show in Hartford This Weekend

Less than 3 Months Remain Before Greene Co, AR Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas –– In less than three months, on Thursday, May 16, 2013, new flood maps for Greene County, Arkansas will become effective.  Before that date, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance.

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

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

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, residents can contact their local floodplain administrator.  

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

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

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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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6  and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

Read this article:

Less than 3 Months Remain Before Greene Co, AR Flood Maps Become Final

Less than 3 Months Remain Before Greene Co, AR Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas –– In less than three months, on Thursday, May 16, 2013, new flood maps for Greene County, Arkansas will become effective.  Before that date, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance.

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

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

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, residents can contact their local floodplain administrator.  

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

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

                                                                                                         ###

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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6  and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Less than 3 Months Remain Before Greene Co, AR Flood Maps Become Final

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