Oklahomans Encouraged to Rebuild Safer, Stronger

OKLAHOMA CITY – In recovering from the recent severe weather and tornadoes Oklahomans have an opportunity to rebuild smarter, safer and stronger homes and businesses using “Flood Smart” building techniques. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer the following recommendations when repairing or rebuilding flood-damaged properties:

• Electrical-system components should be raised to the community’s freeboard requirement above the base flood elevation in order to prevent future flood problems. Heating-fuel tanks, oil or propane, should be secured strongly enough to prevent any movement. Backflow valves may be needed on washing-machine drain lines, laundry sinks and sewer connections. If floors and walls have to be replaced, use materials resistant to water damage.
• If a dwelling is substantially damaged, make sure that the lowest floor of the structure is elevated above the base flood elevation. To determine what that elevation is, ask the local building department or call FEMA at 800-621-3362 and get directed to the proper source.
• Always remember to contact your local code officials to obtain all necessary permits before any repairs or new construction take place.
• Elevate water heaters, furnaces and appliances (such as washers and dryers), especially if they are located in a basement. Place them on a pressure-treated wood or masonry base at least 12 inches above floor level.
• Electrical panel boxes, circuit breakers, wall switches and wall outlets should be at least one foot above the 100-year flood level. Some basement or first-floor electrical systems may even be moved to a higher floor. Indoor and outdoor fuel tanks should be anchored by non-corrosive metal straps or pressure-treated wood to prevent them from turning over or floating away.
• Leaky roofs and foundation cracks let water into a home more readily. This weakens a structure and provides an ideal habitat for mold. If wet spots appear on the ceiling or cracks appear in a foundation, fix them immediately.
• If gutters and drainage systems are blocked by leaves or debris, water can overflow and quickly flood a home or yard. Check all gutters and drainage systems regularly for leaves and nests.
• Sump pumps remove water from a structure and can be an excellent defense against flooding – unless they’re powered by electricity and the power is out. Battery-powered sump pumps are a relatively inexpensive solution. Be sure to purchase a backup battery as well.
• Install a backflow valve, check valve, drain plug or standpipe. These measures ensure sewage only flows one way – out of the home.
• Oklahoma residents interested in placing a manufactured home on their property should work with local code officials to make sure the installation meets Oklahoma Department of Labor and floodplain regulations.

FEMA publications on mitigating flood damage are available online at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/publications.shtm. The series includes topics like Above the Flood: Elevating Your Flood-prone House, Repairing Your Flood Damaged Home, Design Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction, Answers to Questions about Substantially Damaged Buildings and many more.

For more information on building safer, visit www.fema.gov/rebuild/smart_strong.shtm
 

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Oklahomans Encouraged to Rebuild Safer, Stronger

FEMA Offers Homebuilders Guide to Coastal Construction

LINCROFT, N.J. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has produced materials to give technical guidance to home builders and property owners planning post-Sandy construction or repairs in coastal areas.

Investigations conducted by FEMA and other organizations have consistently shown that properly sited, well-designed and well-constructed coastal residential buildings generally perform well in coastal disasters.

For residential builders and do-it-yourselfers, FEMA offers a series of Fact Sheets (available free at Fema.gov) that provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.

The Home Builders Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series is aimed at improving the stability of buildings in coastal environments that may be subject to flood and wind forces.

The 37 fact sheets are divided into 10 categories that cover various aspects of the construction process. Each fact sheet provides specific information on topics like National Flood Insurance Program regulatory requirements, the proper siting of coastal buildings and recommended design and construction practices.

Many of the fact sheets also include lists of FEMA and other resources that provide more information about the topics discussed. Where appropriate, resources are accompanied by active web links.

Updated in 2011, a Coastal Construction Manual – prepared with assistance from other agencies, organizations and professionals involved in coastal construction and regulation – is intended to help designers and contractors identify and evaluate practices that improve construction quality.

The two-volume publication provides a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, designing, constructing and maintaining homes in the coastal environment.

Volume I provides information on hazard identification, siting decisions, regulatory requirements, economic implications and risk management.

Volume II contains in-depth descriptions of design, construction and maintenance practices that, when followed, will increase the durability of residential buildings in the harsh coastal environment and reduce economic losses associated with coastal natural disasters.

The primary audience for Volume I includes design professionals, officials and those involved in the decision-making process. The primary audience for Volume II is the design professional who is familiar with building codes and standards and has a basic understanding of engineering projects.

The Coastal Construction Manual (FEMA publication P-55) and the Home Builders Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA publication P-499) may be downloaded in Portable Document Format as PDF files or as plain text (.txt) files at fema.gov.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later

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 www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. 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

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FEMA Offers Homebuilders Guide to Coastal Construction

FEMA Coastal Construction Information Available For Post – Sandy Rebuilding

TRENTON, N.J. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has produced materials to give technical guidance to home builders and property owners planning post-Sandy construction or repairs in coastal areas.

Investigations conducted by FEMA and other organizations have consistently shown that properly sited, well-designed and well-constructed coastal residential buildings generally perform well in coastal disasters.

For residential builders and do-it-yourselfers, FEMA offers a series of Fact Sheets (available free at Fema.gov) that provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.

The Home Builders Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series is aimed at improving the stability of buildings in coastal environments that may be subject to flood and wind forces.

The 37 fact sheets are divided into 10 categories that cover various aspects of the construction process. Each fact sheet provides specific information on topics like National Flood Insurance Program regulatory requirements, the proper siting of coastal buildings and recommended design and construction practices.

Many of the fact sheets also include lists of FEMA and other resources that provide more information about the topics discussed. Where appropriate, resources are accompanied by active web links.

Updated in 2011, a Coastal Construction Manual — prepared with assistance from other agencies, organizations and professionals involved in coastal construction and regulation — is intended to help designers and contractors identify and evaluate practices that improve construction quality.

The two-volume publication provides a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, designing, constructing and maintaining homes in the coastal environment.

Volume 1 provides information on hazard identification, siting decisions, regulatory requirements, economic implications and risk management.

Volume II contains in-depth descriptions of design, construction and maintenance practices that, when followed, will increase the durability of residential buildings in the harsh coastal environment and reduce economic losses associated with coastal natural disasters.

The primary audience for Volume I includes design professionals, officials and those involved in the decision making process. The primary audience for Volume II is the design professional who is familiar with building codes and standards and has a basic understanding of engineering projects.

The Coastal Construction Manual (FEMA publication P-55) and the Home Builders Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA publication P-499) may be downloaded in Portable Document Format as PDF files or as plain text (.txt) files at fema.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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. 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.

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FEMA Coastal Construction Information Available For Post – Sandy Rebuilding

FEMA Offers Free Coastal Construction Guides for Home Builders and Do-It-Yourselfers

WINDSOR, Conn. – Connecticut home builders and skilled do-it-yourselfers undertaking repair and rebuilding projects in the wake of Hurricane Sandy can get detailed guidance from free, comprehensive publications offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA’s Coastal Construction Manual outlines best practices for planning, siting, designing, constructing and maintaining homes in coastal environments.

  • Volume I provides information about hazard identification, siting decisions, regulatory requirements, economic implications and risk management. Volume I is primarily intended for design professionals, local officials and those involved in the project decision-making process.
  • Volume II contains in-depth descriptions of design, construction and maintenance practices to increase the durability of residential buildings in the coastal environment and reduce economic losses associated with coastal natural disasters like Sandy. Volume II is aimed at design professionals who are familiar with building codes and standards and have a basic understanding of engineering principles.

The Coastal Construction Manual is available to download for free from FEMA’s online publication library at http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1671.

Also available is the Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction – Technical Fact Sheet Series, which can be downloaded at http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2138.

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 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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 Offers Free Coastal Construction Guides for Home Builders and Do-It-Yourselfers

Two Weeks Left For Local Agencies To Apply For Federal Assistance

DUBLIN, OH – The deadline is nearing for State agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in 37 designated counties to apply for federal aid to help offset expenses related to emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and straight-line winds June 29 – 2 July.

President Obama’s Aug. 20 disaster declaration authorized federal assistance after the series of storms and straight line winds hit Ohio late June early July.  Applicants must submit RPA forms within 30 days of the date of disaster designation.

Officials in the following designated counties have until Sept. 19 to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA):

Adams, Allen, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Champaign, Clark, Coshocton, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert, and Washington Counties 

“We want to ensure that resources are allocated to every agency that is eligible,” said Michael W. Moore, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program pays 75 percent of eligible cost and each applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% percent non-federal balance.   For more information or questions on eligibility, officials should contact their local County Emergency Management Agency director.

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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Two Weeks Left For Local Agencies To Apply For Federal Assistance

Heading To The All-Star Game, The College World Series, A Concert? Be Tornado Ready

Heading To The All-Star Game, The College World Series, A Concert? Be Tornado Ready 

Release Date: June 15, 2012
Release Number: R7-12-008

» 2012 Region VII News Releases

Kansas City, Mo. — As you and your family make plans to go to baseball’s All-Star Game 2012 in Kansas City, the College World Series in Omaha, attend a concert, an outdoor event, or go on a road trip this summer, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants you to know what you should do if a tornado threatens.

“It’s automatic for parents—you step into a crowded shopping mall, or athletic stadium and you check to make sure your children are safely by your side. Your very next thought should be ‘what if?’ What if there’s a need to evacuate this building, or take shelter quickly inside it?” said Regional Administrator Beth Freeman, of FEMA Region VII. “Preparing before severe weather threatens is always the wisest thing to do, but it can be tricky when you’re out in public or in unfamiliar areas. We want to see people consider their options and know what to do during any emergency like it’s second nature.”

BE PREPARED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION

If you’re inside a building (e.g. residence, athletic stadium, small building, school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, high-rise building) the goal is to find the best available refuge area. In the event of a tornado warning, to go the safest refuge area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Put on sturdy shoes. Do not open windows.

If you plan to attend an event in an outdoor stadium or arena, consider how you would evacuate or take shelter in the event of a tornado. It’s best to plan ahead and when possible learn what emergency plans are in place.

If you’re driving or outdoors with no shelter immediately drive to the closest sturdy shelter IF, and only if, it’s five or less minutes away. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park. Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.

If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, like into a ditch, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Do not get under an overpass or bridge because it is a very dangerous place to be during a tornado. You are safer in a low, flat location. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries. Also, never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck.

Understand alert and warning systems and stay informed

Learn about weather alerts so you can make good decisions regardless of where you are when severe weather threatens. A tornado Watch means existing weather conditions could create a tornado. However, when a tornado Warning is issued, a tornado has been seen on the ground or Doppler radar indicates there is a strong possibility one may soon form in the area under the Warning. When a tornado warning is issued, seek safe shelter immediately.

If at home or in your car, listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. During severe weather, keep the weather radio with you at all times, including while sheltering. Sign up on www.weather.gov to receive email or text message alerts for severe weather. NOAA has more information about choosing a weather radio at www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwrrcvr.htm.

Understanding Outdoor Sirens

Outdoor sirens may warn of an immediate tornado threat, but they’re only meant to alert people outdoors. The sirens in your community may work differently than those in a neighboring town, so it’s important to become familiar with the local siren system. Speak with local emergency management officials to determine:

  • When do they turn the siren on?
  • If the siren has different tones, what are they and what do they mean?
  • When the siren stops, does it mean the threat is over?
  • What does the emergency manager recommend doing when the siren sounds, or for each broadcasted tone?
  • When does the siren system get tested?

Once you understand your local siren system, teach everyone in the family and then practice getting to the best available refuge area. That way the whole family knows what to do, even if you’re not together during an emergency. During any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.

Have a plan and supplies

According to the National Weather Service, no geographic location, including downtown urban areas, around lakes, rivers or mountains, are safe from tornados. Those outdoors or living in mobile homes are most vulnerable, but everyone should have a plan and prepare.

Begin preparing by building an emergency supply kit (www.ready.gov/build-a-kit), making a family emergency plan (www.ready.gov/make-a-plan) and purchasing a NOAA weather radio. Keep an emergency supply kit at home, work, and in your car, and be sure everyone in the family understands the emergency plan.

Once you have an emergency supply kit, check it monthly to be sure the water is fresh, medications and batteries are still usable and it is tailored to meet your family’s needs that month.

Factors that should be considered for both the supply kit and the family emergency plan could include the needs of family members of different ages, dietary needs, and disabilities or access and functional needs, including assistive technology equipment. Most or all people have both specific personal needs as well as resources that can assist others. Working with your family and neighbors, you can make a supply kit and plan to fit existing needs.

It’s also important to test your family emergency plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes and you’ll want to find them as soon as the crisis is over.

Get step-by-step instructions on how to prepare your family and/or business online at www.ready.gov. You may also download the FEMA application (www.fema.gov/help/social_media.shtm) for disaster safety tips, interactive lists for storing your emergency kit and emergency meeting location information for your emergency plan.

Follow www.twitter.com/femaregion7 (even if you don’t have a Twitter account) for more tornado and severe weather safety tips all week.

Visit FEMA Region VII online at www.fema.gov/region7. Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femaregion7, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. 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.

Last Modified: Friday, 15-Jun-2012 16:02:51

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Heading To The All-Star Game, The College World Series, A Concert? Be Tornado Ready