The Time to Buy Is While It’s Dry: FEMA Urges Public to Get Flood Insurance

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges people to buy flood insurance now – before the next flood hits.

Flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster, a fact people in this part of the United States know all too well. Yet statistics indicate most people ignore the risks associated with flooding and do not buy flood insurance.

However, with some forecasters calling for a wet winter in many parts of the country, local residents should buck that trend, said FEMA Region 6 officials in Denton, Texas. Those wet winter forecasts come on the heels of a spring and summer that saw Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas receive major disaster declarations for flooding.

“Nobody here will forget the heartbreaking images from this spring’s devastating floods,” said Regional Administrator Tony Robinson. “Losing your family’s treasured possessions to floodwaters is hard enough; not having insurance to cover the replacement costs makes a bad situation worse.”

People who want to know whether they live in a flood-prone area and how to get flood insurance can learn more on www.floodsmart.gov. The site contains a wealth of information about the risks and costs of flooding, and the benefits of insurance.

“Once you buy an insurance policy, it takes 30 days to go into effect – so the time to act is now, before the next heavy rains,” Robinson said.

More:

The Time to Buy Is While It’s Dry: FEMA Urges Public to Get Flood Insurance

March 16-22 Is Flood Safety Awareness Week

DENTON, Texas –   Do you know what to do before, during and after a flood? Find out during Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-22. Emergency management experts will be reminding the public about the dangers related to flooding, ways to prepare for flood events and to prevent future damage from floods.

“Flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster and it can happen in any of our regional states,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.  “Homeowners, renters and business owners should find out if their home or business is at risk for flood and then take steps to address that risk.”

Before a Flood
• Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

During a Flood
• Listen to local officials and monitor your local radio or television for information.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If it does, immediately move to higher ground. 
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to suddenly flood.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. Turn Around; Don’t Drown. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

After a Flood
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
• Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

Find more information on flooding, flood hazards, and flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov, http://www.ready.gov/floods and www.nws.noaa.gov/floodsafety/.

 

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.

Link – 

March 16-22 Is Flood Safety Awareness Week

Fire Departments in Texas Receive More than $1.2 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

DENTON, Texas — Fire departments in Texas have been awarded more than $1.2 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Lancaster Fire Department received more than $740,640 to boost hiring efforts for firefighters. The Leander Fire Department received $473,375 in funding, which will be used to hire a Volunteer Liaison who will recruit new, diverse volunteers and also work to retain current and future members.

The federal grants are part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants program. SAFER awards provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations.

“These grants help to fulfill a critical need, which is to make sure there are enough firefighters and volunteer firefighters to help protect lives and properties in communities,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.

For more information on the SAFER Grant program, visit http://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants.

###

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.

                                                                                                         

 

View original article:

Fire Departments in Texas Receive More than $1.2 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

David Passey Named FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today named David Passey as Deputy Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 6.

“David has 22 years of experience in dealing with emergency managers at the local, state, tribal, federal and international level,” said Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “With his leadership and communications skills, he will be a great asset for this Region.”

Passey, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Brigham Young University, began his FEMA career as an Emergency Management Intern at FEMA Headquarters in 1991. Since moving to Region 6 in 1992, he has served in several positions including Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Flood Mitigation Specialist and Regional External Affairs Officer. In the fall of 2007, he left Region 6 to serve as Senior DHS Representative to NATO. He returned to Region 6 in 2011, most recently serving as Hazard Mitigation Assistance Branch Chief.

As Deputy Regional Administrator, Passey will work closely with state, tribal, federal partners, and local emergency managers to support our communities as they prepare for, respond to, recover from and to mitigate against disasters. “I’m looking forward to the challenges of the job, and the chance to strengthen the ties Region 6 has with our partners,” said Passey.

Passey fills the position which was vacated when Tony Robinson was named Administrator of FEMA Region 6 on January 10, 2013.

View the original here: 

David Passey Named FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams at Walmart in Robinson in Crawford County

CHICAGO – FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) that have been canvassing areas of the state to help residents register for disaster assistance will be doing outreach at the Walmart in Robinson this weekend, from Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27. The teams will be on site most of the day, starting at 9:00 a.m.

DSAT members offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or ask to enter information on their behalf.  Illinois residents will not be required to share personal information unless they wish a DSAT member to enter the data for them. 

While FEMA DSATs are offering in-person service, it’s important that Illinoisans remain vigilant about protecting their personal information. For example, residents should always ask for identification. Federal and state officials always have ID clearly visible.

If residents prefer to use personal computers or phones to register, they can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), visit www.disasterassistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov. For more information, go to: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

FEMA’s disaster assistance can include grants to repair homes, temporary rental assistance and reimbursement for damaged property caused by the disaster. While FEMA cannot duplicate insurance benefits, the agency can provide assistance for uninsured or under-insured damage. DSAT members can also provide referrals to additional resources when unmet needs remain.

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

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Original source:

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams at Walmart in Robinson in Crawford County

FEMA Awards More Than $1 Million to New Mexico for Flooding Cleanup

DENTON, Texas – More than $1 million was recently awarded to the state of New Mexico by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for debris removal in Lincoln County in the aftermath of last summer’s flooding.

The FEMA funding covers the hauling away of debris and the clearing of roads in order to allow for public access, the safety of the population and the protection of property, as well as direct administrative costs.

“The removal of debris is a critical step in the recovery process after a disaster,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are proud to support our state and local partners in New Mexico, reimbursing them for the work they have done to rebuild and repair communities after last year’s flooding.”

FEMA’s contribution, made possible by a Public Assistance grant, represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of New Mexico; 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.

View original post here – 

FEMA Awards More Than $1 Million to New Mexico for Flooding Cleanup

Preliminary Flood Maps in Matagorda Co, TX Ready for Public View: Public Open House Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk Information

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

Matagorda 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, a public workshop is scheduled in the county where interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes.

Thursday, Feb. 21                                          

Bay City Civic Center                  

201 7th Street                        

Bay City, TX 77414                                             

2 p.m. – 8 p.m.                                                                  

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the county, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA R6 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.txchart.com. Residents can also contact the Matagorda County Floodplain Administrator for more details.

###

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.

 

Original post – 

Preliminary Flood Maps in Matagorda Co, TX Ready for Public View: Public Open House Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk Information