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FEMA: As Severe Weather Approaches, Prepare, Stay Informed and Make a Plan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the potential for severe weather across the plains and several Midwestern states the remainder of this week and into the weekend, staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region VII office are coordinating with state and local officials in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and urge the public to prepare to stay safe.

“With the threat of severe weather developing, we urge residents to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local newscasts, monitor digital media feeds for updates and follow the instructions provided by local emergency officials,” said FEMA Region VII Administrator Beth Freeman. “As folks make their weekend plans, this severe weather threat is a reminder everyone needs to remain vigilant as we can’t always anticipate when or where a disaster might strike.”

Make A Plan!
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance. For more information on creating your family’s emergency plan, visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Have an Emergency Supply Kit!
To prepare for power outages and the disruption of essential services, FEMA urges families to prepare an emergency supply kit for their homes and cars. For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. When preparing a kit, remember water, medications, and items needed for the well-being of your pets.

Stay Informed!
Pay attention to and follow instructions from local emergency officials.

FEMA App Has Weather Alerts (NEW!)
Download the FEMA app (available in English and Spanish, for Apple, Blackberry and Android) to get severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service, https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

Social Media—A great monitoring tool!
Most local emergency managers, state and government agencies, including the National Weather Service, have an active social media presence and use it to provide fast, current and critical information before, during and after emergencies. Consider following the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram handles of your local emergency management office, as well as hospitals, schools and voluntary organizations serving your community.

If you don’t already have one, consider using a social media list to monitor the severe weather threat; how local officials are responding; and what they may ask of you and your family. @FEMARegion7 on Twitter has created social media lists for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Subscribe to your state’s list, www.twitter.com/femaregion7/lists, or use it as a template to create your own. Learn and chat about creating Twitter and Facebook lists using #PrepList.

Tips for Severe Weather Safety!

If you have severe weather in your area, keep these safety tips in mind:

Become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard and talk to your family about what you will do if a watch or warning is issued. Here are the terms you need to know:

WATCH: Meteorologists are monitoring an area or region for the formation of a specific type of threat (e.g. flooding, severe thunderstorms, or tornados).

WARNING: Specific life and property threatening conditions are occurring and imminent. Take appropriate safety precautions.

If there’s a tornado warning, you’ll need to know what to do no matter where you are. Learn more before the storms arrive, http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes.

DISTANCE TO SAFE ROOM MATTERS: While community safe rooms offer significant reassurance and protection during a severe weather event, always make the safe and certain choice about where to seek shelter – particularly if there is little time to travel to the location of the community safe room. It is always best to seek shelter in your basement or in the lowest possible structure in your residence if time and warning are limited when severe weather hits.

LOCATION MATTERS: Know your surroundings and your structures if you’re planning to attend an event, take vacation, visit family, or if you are staying in a location other than your home like a hotel, campground or cabin. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the facility’s emergency plans including: sirens and warnings, how to shelter in place, and steps to be taken in the event of an evacuation.

MOBILE HOMES: Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. Residents of mobile homes must plan in advance and identify safe shelter in a nearby building.

FLOODING: Be aware that flash flooding can occur within minutes and with little notice. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. Do not drive through flood water. When you see flood waters ahead: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

SAFETY AFTER THE STORM: Injury may occur when people walk amid disaster debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
Be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in or around your home. Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards and before going back to a property with downed power lines, or the possibility of a gas leak. Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.

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Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Find regional updates from FEMA Region VII at www.twitter.com/femaregion7. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’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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FEMA: As Severe Weather Approaches, Prepare, Stay Informed and Make a Plan

FEMA Awards $511,153 Grant to Lake County

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $511,153 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Lake County, Minn., for the installation of fire-resistant roofing materials on 65 residential and commercial structures.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator, Andrew Velasquez III. “The fire-resistant roof installation makes these structures more resilient and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals, property and the community when future wildfires impact the area.”

“Reducing the effects of all types of natural disasters is a key component of HSEM’s mission,” said HSEM Director Joe Kelly. “Fire-resistant roofing materials is a new project type for Minnesota. With the potential for significant drought this year, we are looking to implement measures that will better protect our residents.”

“Wildfire is our greatest natural hazard risk in Lake County,” says BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County’s Emergency Management Director. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide a safety net to homeowners. We’re already working with HSEM, the fire marshal, building officials, licensed installers, homeowners and vendors to develop guidelines and specifications to make this project most effective. Hopefully, these can serve as models for similar projects in future.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DPS/HSEM) administers the grants for FEMA. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $681,537 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $170,384, will be provided by Lake County.

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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FEMA Awards $511,153 Grant to Lake County

Prepare Now: Severe Weather System Threatens the Midwest This Week

CHICAGO – With a potentially volatile midweek forecast that includes severe storms, heavy rains, strong winds and the potential for tornadoes, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages everyone to get prepared.

“Because severe weather can strike with little or no warning, everyone needs to be prepared now,” FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III said. “Learn your community’s emergency alert system and take all warnings seriously. You may only have seconds or minutes to take shelter in an emergency, so always be aware of where you and your family need to go to stay safe.”

Individuals should follow the instructions of state and local officials and listen to local radio or TV stations for updated information related to the storm system. If a warning is issued, get indoors, and move to the center of an interior room (closet, interior hallway) on the lowest level, such as a basement, away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.
Heavy rains can also trigger localized flash flooding. Do not walk or drive through flood water. Just six inches of water can knock people off their feet or stall a vehicle.

Find valuable tips to help you prepare for severe weather at http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather and or 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.

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

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Prepare Now: Severe Weather System Threatens the Midwest This Week

Moises Dugan Sworn In as New FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6 Office has a new Deputy Administrator. Moises Dugan was officially sworn in today by FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.

“Moises Dugan is an effective leader and brings a wealth of experience to this critically important position at FEMA Region 6,” said Robinson. “As Deputy Regional Administrator, he will work very closely with our federal, state, local and tribal partners in our Region 6 states – Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.”

Dugan began his emergency management career in 1989 with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He’s also worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C. and North Texas, as well as FEMA Region 6 and FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta, Ga.

During his previous stint with FEMA Region 6, he worked on a number of high-profile federal disasters, including the Cerro Grande fire in New Mexico in 2000 and the loss of the Shuttle Columbia over Texas and Louisiana in 2003. Additionally, Dugan served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps.

“I am happy to be coming back home to FEMA Region 6,” said Dugan. “It’s an honor to again be associated with this group of dedicated and caring emergency management professionals. I know that, together, we will continue to make a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.”

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Moises Dugan Sworn In as New FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

FEMA Awards $1,050,990 Grant to the Village of Glenwood

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released $1,050,990 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the village of Glenwood, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of nine residential structures in the Thorn Creek floodplain.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “The acquisition and demolition of these homes permanently removes the structures from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“This grant is good news for the village of Glenwood and residents who have been hit by flooding many times in the past,” said James K. Joseph, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “The residents can now move to higher ground and avoid future heartache and property losses, and local response agencies will no longer need to wage costly flood fights.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $1,401,320 eligible project cost. The village of Glenwood will contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $350,330.

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

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FEMA Awards $1,050,990 Grant to the Village of Glenwood

Louisiana Receives More Than $1.4 Million for Repairs to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $1.4 million to Louisiana for repairs to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

Wind and rain from the storm damaged multiple buildings and structures in the hospital system: the main hospital; the Quaife building; the St. Charles garage; the Gumbel building; the Medical Arts Building; and the Buckman Building/Garage.

The Public Assistance funding pays for repairs to the roofs of many of the buildings, as well as structural components associated with those buildings.

“Southern Louisiana continues to struggle with the recovery of critical infrastructure damaged in Katrina and a number of subsequent disasters over the past nine years, to include Hurricane Isaac. We appreciate the partnership with FEMA to continue to address our recovery needs,” said Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Davis.

“Hospitals are a necessary element of any community, so it’s important to ensure medical facilities like Touro Infirmary are fully operational,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to assisting our state and local partners in Louisiana as they continue to repair and rebuild.”

The Public Assistance funding represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Louisiana; the state then disburses the grant to the eligible applicant.

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Louisiana Receives More Than $1.4 Million for Repairs to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans

FEMA Funds Sediment Removal from Nambe Reservoir in Santa Fe County, New Mexico

DENTON, Texas – Nearly $2.4 million has been awarded to the state of New Mexico from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for removal of sediment from the Nambe Reservoir in Santa Fe County.

During the severe storms in Sept. 2013, heavy rains flooded multiple arroyos, acequias – communal irrigation canals – and various rivers in central New Mexico causing sediment to be deposited in the Nambe Reservoir. The reservoir provides water for municipal and irrigation use in the Pojoaque Valley Irrigation District.

“Removal of sediment from the reservoir is an important step in the recovery process,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “This project is part of our continuing partnership with the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to assist with ongoing recovery in Santa Fe County.”

The Public Assistance grant program funding covers the removal, hauling away and proper disposal of nearly 41,000 cubic yards of sediment from the reservoir, which is enough sediment to fill the truck beds of more than 20,000 average-sized pickups!

This grant is part of more than $38.5 million in Public Assistance grants that have been obligated to the state of New Mexico related to the severe storms and flooding in Sept. 2013. The awarded funding 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.

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Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6, and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA Funds Sediment Removal from Nambe Reservoir in Santa Fe County, New Mexico

FEMA 2014 Funding for New Mexico Tops $79 Million

DENTON, Texas —The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided more than $79.4 million in 2014 funding to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), tribal governments and community partners for disaster recovery, mitigation and preparedness.

“FEMA, in partnership with DHSEM and tribes, continues to provide funding to assist communities recovering from and mitigating against future damage,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to helping New Mexico residents strengthen their resilience.”

The $79.4 million includes more than $65.2 million in Public Assistance dollars for repair and replacement of infrastructure after a disaster, more than $12.5 million in Preparedness grants, and over $1.7 million for projects to mitigate damage from future disasters.

“In recent years, the state of New Mexico has experienced widespread damage caused by natural disasters,” said New Mexico DHSEM Cabinet Secretary-Designate Jay Mitchell. “We appreciate the strong partnership and support we have received from our friends at FEMA.”

The 2014 federal funding covered numerous projects in New Mexico, including:

A grant to the City of Alamogordo for removal of debris from flooding at the Bonito Lake Reservoir, a source of drinking water.
Santo Domingo Pueblo received funding for the removal of 53,000 tons of debris deposited by flooding in the Middle West Drainage facility, an archaeologically and culturally sensitive area.
Lincoln County received $118,000 for a Hazardous Fuels Reduction Education and Outreach project, to raise public awareness for the need to thin and manage vegetation to reduce losses from wildfires.
Santa Clara Pueblo received funds for an engineering study to plan the replacement of four primary detention pond dam facilities in Santa Clara Canyon. Continued funding was also provided for the removal of debris from the canyon, caused by monsoon flooding in 2013.

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FEMA 2014 Funding for New Mexico Tops $79 Million

Stay Safe During Bitterly Cold Temperatures and Dangerous Snow Conditions

CHICAGO – Dangerously low temperatures and accumulating snow are in the forecast for much of the Midwest and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants individuals and families to be safe when faced with the hazards of cold temperatures and winter weather.

“Subfreezing temperatures and wind chills can be dangerous and even life-threatening for people who don’t take the proper precautions,” said Andrew Velasquez III, FEMA Regional Administrator. “It is important for everyone to monitor their local weather reports and take steps now to stay safe, whether traveling or at home, during times of extreme cold temperatures.”

During cold weather, you should take the following precautions:

Stay indoors as much as possible and limit your exposure to the cold;
Dress in layers and keep dry;
Check on family, friends, and neighbors who are at risk and may need additional assistance;
Know the symptoms of cold-related health issues such as frostbite and hypothermia and seek medical attention if health conditions are severe.
Bring your pets indoors or ensure they have a warm shelter area with unfrozen water.
Make sure your vehicle has an emergency kit that includes an ice scraper, blanket and flashlight – and keep the fuel tank above half full.
If you are told to stay off the roads, stay home. If you must drive, don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule and stay on main roads.

You can find more information and tips on being ready for winter weather and extreme cold temperatures at http://www.ready.gov/winter-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: Mark Peterson, 312-408-4469

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Stay Safe During Bitterly Cold Temperatures and Dangerous Snow Conditions

One Week Left to Apply for South Napa Earthquake Disaster Assistance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Individuals and business owners in Napa and Solano counties who had damages or losses as a result of the South Napa Earthquake have one week left to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Officials with FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) urge anyone who still needs help to register before the deadline – Dec. 29, 2014.

After serving more than 2,700 homeowners, renters and business owners who had damages from the South Napa Earthquake, FEMA’s presence at the Napa Earthquake Local Assistance Center at 301 1st St. in Napa will conclude at 6 p.m. on Mon., Dec. 29. But help is still available in person, online and over the phone.

Until then, the Local Assistance Center will operate on its existing schedule: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. In observance of Christmas, however, the center will also be closed Dec. 24-26.

Disaster assistance includes grants for homeowners and renters to help pay for rent, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

FEMA offers three ways to register for disaster assistance: log on to DisasterAssistance.gov, screen tap m.fema.gov on a smartphone or tablet, or call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or VRS may call 800-621-3362.

Phone lines remain open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PST) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual phone operators are available in 93 various languages to take registrations, answer questions about disaster assistance, or check the status of an application. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Low-interest disaster loans are also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

For more information about disaster loans, applicants may call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or (TTY) 800-877-8339, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to file an electronic SBA loan application.

To be eligible for federal disaster assistance, at least one member of a household must be a U.S. citizen, Qualified Alien or non-citizen national with a Social Security number. Disaster assistance may be available to a household if a parent or guardian applies on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen or a Qualified Alien. FEMA will only need to know the immigration status and Social Security number of the child.

Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Social Security Disability Insurance.

For unmet disaster-related needs, the United Way operates 2-1-1 that covers Napa and Solano Counties. Available 24/7 in 150 languages, the Bay Area 211 helpline connects callers with hundreds of programs to help people find food, housing, healthcare, senior services, childcare, legal aid and more.

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For more information on the California disaster recovery, go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4193.

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.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) protects lives and property, builds capabilities and supports our communities for a resilient California. Cal OES achieves its mission by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all hazards and threats.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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One Week Left to Apply for South Napa Earthquake Disaster Assistance

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