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More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

28,084 New National Flood Insurance Program Policies Purchased in California since August

Oakland Calif., — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released new data on

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Policies, showing an increase of more than 20,000 new NFIP Policies written in California during the month of November 2015.

There is a 30 – 90 day waiting period for new policies to be reported to FEMA and the latest available data, released today, shows an increase of 28,084 new flood insurance policies purchased in California from August 31 – November 30, 2015.

“Flooding is the most costly and devastating disaster we face as a nation,” said FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton. “The major increase in flood policies show Californians are taking the threat seriously and taking powerful steps to protect their families and property. Those who may need and not have a flood policy should act today, as policies generally take 30 days to go into effect.”

The 12% increase is the first of its kind in recent history. The previous reporting period showed that policies increased 3% from August 31 to October 31. During that timeframe, 7,181 new federal flood insurance policies were written in California.

“We are encouraged by the number of Californians that are becoming financially prepared for the flooding that is expected from El Nino,” said Janet Ruiz, California Representative for the Insurance Information Institute. “It is crucial to protect our families and homes by preparing for catastrophes ahead of time.”

FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and works closely with more than 80 private insurance companies to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. In order to qualify for flood insurance, the home or business must be in a community that has joined the NFIP and agreed to enforce sound floodplain management standards.

Flooding can happen anywhere, but certain areas are especially prone to serious flooding. Many areas in California are at increased flood risk from El Niño, as a direct result of wildfires and drought.

Residents should be aware of a couple things:
- You can’t get flood insurance at the last minute. In most cases, it takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect. So get your policy now.
- Only Flood Insurance Covers Flood Damage. Most standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage.
- Get all the coverage you need. Your agent can walk you through the policy.
Know your flood risk. Visit FloodSmart.gov (or call 1-800-427-2419) to learn more about individual flood risk, explore coverage options and to find an agent in your area.
Flood insurance covers flood, but there are other affects from flooding that may apply to you. Damage from mudflows is covered by flood insurance; damage from landslides and other earth movements is not. Speak to your agent.

NFIP is a federal program and offers flood insurance which can be purchased through private property and casualty insurance agents. Rates are set nationally and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent. These rates depend on many factors, which include the date and type of construction of your home, along with your building’s level of risk.

FEMA’s Region 9 office in Oakland, CA has established an El Niño Task Force and is working with the California Office of Emergency Services with the mission of preparing the Region and its partners for the impact of El Niño. The task force is evaluating the core capabilities needed to protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from any flooding that occurs across the region this winter. Last month, the FEMA Region 9 Office released its Draft Severe El Nino Disaster Response plan and convened a regional interagency steering committee meeting in Northern California to exercise the plan.

FEMA recognizes that a government-centric approach to emergency management is not adequate to meet the challenges posed by a catastrophic incident. Utilizing a “whole community” approach to emergency management reinforces that FEMA is only one part of our nation’s emergency management team.

Visit Ready.gov for more preparedness tips and information and follow FEMARegion9 on Twitter.

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More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

FEMA Awards $63.6 million to New Mexico for Road Repairs in Eddy County

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently awarded more than $63.6 million to the state of New Mexico for road repairs and hazard mitigation as a result of severe storms and flooding in September 2014. A federal disaster declaration (DR-4199-NM) designated eight counties eligible for Public Assistance grants.

This award provides $63,602,780 in federal funding to Eddy County for permanent repairs and hazard mitigation to 24 aggregate, asphalt, and chip-and-seal roadways. A total of 111 miles of county roads sustained base and surface erosion due to flooding.

The FEMA grant includes more than $35.3 million for permanent road repairs. Another $28.3 million in funding is for hazard mitigation – measures taken to avoid future damage from flooding. This funding is provided to raise the roadways where additional elevation will prevent the road from becoming a water drainage channel.

“We are committed to working with our state partners to assist communities as they recover from natural disasters and rebuild critical infrastructure,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “This grant will help Eddy County rebuild roads to withstand flood waters in the future.”

FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Following the state’s review process and upon receipt of appropriate documentation, it will provide funds to Eddy County on a reimbursable basis.

FEMA Public Assistance grants pay the federal share of the eligible costs for the work and will cover 75 percent of the work performed on this road project. The funding is provided by FEMA under authority of Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.

The mission of FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program is to provide assistance to state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations so communities can respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the president. Learn more about FEMA’s Public Assistance at http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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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 , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA and visit the FEMA blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA Awards $63.6 million to New Mexico for Road Repairs in Eddy County

Preliminary Flood Maps in Tarrant County, Texas Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas –Residents of Arlington, Garland and the rest of Tarrant County have new preliminary flood maps to review.

These maps help homeowners and businesses decide about purchasing flood insurance. By knowing the risks, individuals and community leaders can make informed decisions about building and development.

“We’ve worked with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the county. We hope that everyone reviews the maps to understand the flood risks involved,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Having the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

To see the revised flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator. He or she may be located at City Hall or the local county government building. You can also visit http://msc.fema.gov/portal or http://maps.riskmap6.com. To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

What happens after flood risks are identified? The next step is to consider purchasing a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in your 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.

Preliminary Flood Maps in Tarrant County, Texas Ready for Public View

Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas -REVISED

Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas

Public Open House Events Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk Information
(Please note correction below to address for open house in Willacy County.)

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners in the Texas counties of Cameron and Willacy are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort follows the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks. To share that data, public workshops are scheduled in each of the counties where interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes. Experts will be on hand to answer questions related to the newly identified flood risks.

Willacy County Cameron County

Wednesday, Nov. 18 Thursday, Nov. 19

L. E. Franks Tourist Center Brownsville Public Library

501 S. Seventh Street 2600 Central Blvd.

Raymondville, TX Brownsville, TX

2:00 – 7:00 p.m. 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to these counties, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.riskmap6.com. Residents can also contact the floodplain administrator in each county for more details.

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Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas -REVISED

Severe Weather Mid-Week: Get Ready Now

CHICAGO – With an ominous Wednesday forecast for most of the central U.S. that includes severe storms, heavy rains, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V encourages everyone to get prepared.

“Even though temperatures are dropping as we approach the winter months, severe storms are still a risk,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Now is the time to make sure your family knows what to do to stay safe, and verify your mobile phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts to warn you of extreme weather and other emergencies in your area.”

Individuals living throughout Illinois and Indiana, southern Wisconsin and western Ohio should follow the instructions of state and local officials and listen to local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information related to this storm system. Purchasing a weather radio for your home is another way to ensure that you receive critical warning information. If a warning is issued, get indoors, and move to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.

Find valuable tips to help you prepare for severe storms at http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather and download the free FEMA app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device. Visit the site or download the app today so you have the information you need to prepare for severe weather.

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.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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Severe Weather Mid-Week: Get Ready Now

Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas

News Release

Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas

Public Open House Events Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk Information

Willacy County Cameron County

Wednesday, Nov. 18 Thursday, Nov. 19

Tourist Center Brownsville Public Library

700 FM 3168 2600 Central Blvd.

Raymondville, TX Brownsville, TX

2:00 – 7:00 p.m. 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.riskmap6.com. Residents can also contact the floodplain administrator in each county for more details.

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Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas

Three Counties Added to Washington Public Assistance Disaster Declaration for Windstorm

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended federal disaster aid under the Public Assistance program to three additional Washington counties affected by the Aug. 29, 2015, severe windstorm.

Eligible applicants in Clallam, Grays Harbor and Whatcom counties may now apply for FEMA Public Assistance (PA) supplementary reimbursement for the costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other public as well as some private facilities.

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

In the original October 15 declaration, Island, Jefferson and Snohomish counties were designated for FEMA Public Assistance funding as a result of the windstorm.

For more information on Washington disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4242. FEMA Region 10 is also on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/femaregion10 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Three Counties Added to Washington Public Assistance Disaster Declaration for Windstorm

Disaster Relief Trials Sweep Portland

This Saturday bicycle enthusiasts will test their resourcefulness at the Disaster Relief Trials (DRTs) in Oregon. The event is a competitive cargo bike disaster drill that encourages community preparedness.

Cargo bikes can haul loads weighing 200 pounds or more of food, water and medical supplies. In addition to hauling supplies, cargo bikes provide a transportation option that is more nimble than cars, especially in the aftermath of an earthquake when transportation and fuel infrastructure will be severely damaged.

The DRTs will be hosted by the University of Portland, with checkpoints spread out in a “hub and spoke” style, in which supply routes circle back to the university campus. At each checkpoint, riders will complete challenges such as overcoming a 3-foot barrier and riding over rough terrain to gather critical supplies.

Riders compete at several difficulty levels ranging from “Family,” which includes carrying kids and limited additional cargo for approximately 15 miles, to “Responder,” which includes carrying at least 50 pounds and traveling about 30 miles.

In addition to the Portland event, an event will take place in Eugene, Ore., on the same day. Previous DRTs have taken place in Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Portland DRTs, to be held from noon to 4:30 p.m., will run simultaneously with an Earthquake Information Fair hosted by the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup. Find out more about the DRTs online at www.disasterrelieftrials.com. The event is for cargo bikers and registration is closed, the Earthquake Info Fair is open to the public.

Riders make rows of cargo bikes as they prepare for the Eugene Disaster Relief Trials to begin.

Eugene, Ore., Riders at the 2014 DRT line up their cargo bikes before the race begins. The DRT bring communities together to practice the use of cargo bikes in an emergency situation where roads might not be available.

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Disaster Relief Trials Sweep Portland

Sand Replacement

FEMA-1609
PA ID# 021-99021-00; Collier County
PW ID# 2700; Sand Replacement
10/02/2015

Conclusion: On second appeal, the Applicant substantiated that an additional $6,149,099.06 for sand restoration and $1,611,405.10 for engineering, survey, and environmental compliance costs are eligible for PA funding.

Summary Paragraph

In 2005, the Applicant was devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma which resulted in substantial sand loss on its beaches. FEMA initially prepared PW 2700 to address sand replacement at Naples Beach following Hurricane Wilma, only. FEMA subsequently revised PW 2700 to reimburse for costs associated with replenishing Naples Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, and Park Shores following Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma and obligated Version 3 for 12,868,475.94. Following guidance in an unrelated second appeal, FEMA Region IV deobligated $11,095,283.52 from PW 2700 in Version 6. In a first appeal letter, the Applicant asserted that there was no technical basis for deobligating the funds, the deobligation was not based on established FEMA policies and procedures, and FEMA’s deobligation was precluded by the Stafford Act § 705(c). The Region IV Regional Administrator (RA) partially approved the first appeal determining that $1,853,755.68 in funding would be reinstated because it represented eligible costs for dune repair, mobilization and demobilization, engineering, and survey costs that were erroneously deobligated from PW 2700. However, the RA determined that the Applicant’s survey of losses included pre- and post-disaster sand erosion that was not eligible for PA funding, as it was not disaster-related. In addition, the RA determined that the Stafford Act § 705(c) was not applicable because the increased scope of work was not eligible; therefore, the associated costs were inherently not reasonable. In its second appeal, the Applicant asserts that FEMA drastically underestimated the actual amount of damage suffered by the Applicant’s beaches as a result of Hurricane Wilma and challenges the amount of funding that FEMA reinstated for engineering and environmental monitoring activities in the first appeal determination. The Applicant requests that FEMA reinstate $6,149,099.06 for sand restoration and $3,167,206.65 for actual engineering and survey costs.

Authorities and Second Appeals

Stafford Act § 406.
Stafford Act § 705(c).
44 C.F.R. § 206.226(j).
OMB Circular A-87, 2 C.F.R. § 225.
PA Guide, at 56-61, 86-87.

Headnotes

The Stafford Act § 406 authorizes FEMA to reimburse costs incurred by a local government for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility damaged or destroyed by a declared disaster.
Pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.226(j)(2), work on an improved beach may be eligible for PA funding if the beach was constructed by the placement of sand to a designed elevation, width, and slope and the beach was maintained by periodically re-nourishing the sand through established procedures prior to the disaster.
- The Applicant substantiated an additional 203,356 cubic yards of sand loss resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma through survey reports completed by its engineering consultant.
- Replacement of the additional sand loss is eligible for PA reimbursement.
Pursuant to OMB Circular A-87 and FEMA policy, in order to be eligible for PA funding, costs must be directly tied to eligible work and reasonable and necessary to accomplish the eligible work.
- The Applicant substantiated an additional $1,611,405.10 for actual engineering, survey, and environmental costs associated with its beach restoration project.

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Sand Replacement

Five Disaster Prep Hacks You Need to Know

CHICAGO –Disasters can happen with little or no warning, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be ready for them. Use these five life hacks to help you better prepare for whatever the unexpected may be:

1. Take small steps toward building your emergency supply kit. Pick up a couple of extra bottles of water and cans of non-perishable food the next time you’re at the grocery store. When you buy replacement batteries for the remote control, set aside a few extras along with a flashlight. Small purchases such as these will eventually help you create a robust emergency supply kit that could be vital to survive on your own after an emergency. If you’re wondering what supplies you might need to stock up on, reference Ready.gov’s Recommended Supply List.

3. Get and stay connected with the ones you love. If your family members aren’t together in an emergency and telephone circuits are jammed, does everyone know what to do? If the answer is no, go to Ready.gov’s Family Communications Plan to help you get started collecting and sharing the important information your family may need in the event of an emergency. Make sure everyone knows where to go and who to contact so you never have to worry about your family’s safety after a disaster.

3. Make your smartphone a lifesaving tool. FEMA’s App can be downloaded to keep you aware of impending severe weather for up to five locations across the U.S., along with customized information to stay safe and other readiness resources to help you prepare for potential disasters.

4. Get smart… Everyone lives in a flood zone – but do you know whether your home is located in a high- or low- to moderate-flood risk area? If not, FEMA’s FloodSmart page has a One-Step Flood Risk Profile tool where you can enter your address and find out. Learn about all of the disaster risks unique to your community—and any location you may visit or spend time—so you’re not caught unaware if something were to occur. Visit America’s PrepareAthon! page and get educated about the specific hazards in any area you choose.

5. Then act the part! Once you know the type of disasters most common to your community, take steps to reduce your risk. Talk to your insurance agent and verify you’re fully covered – did you know homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage? What about the fact that sewer backup damage is typically covered by a rider added to your homeowner’s coverage? You can also mitigate disaster risks by taking other simple steps like storing important papers in a safe place, elevating mechanicals off the floor of your basement to avoid potential flood damage and caulking exterior openings where electrical wires and cables enter your home to keep water from getting inside. Learn more about risk reduction techniques by visiting FEMA’s Protecting Homes webpage.

For even more readiness information follow FEMA Region V at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema. Individuals can always find valuable preparedness information at www.Ready.gov.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

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Five Disaster Prep Hacks You Need to Know

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