National Flood Insurance Program Probation for Port Vincent, Louisiana

DENTON, Texas- Efforts are ongoing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist the village of Port Vincent, Louisiana hold on to its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) status; a status that it is in jeopardy of losing if it does not correct current floodplain management violations.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) makes flood insurance available in communities where minimum local floodplain management standards are adopted and enforced. FEMA recently issued a letter to Port Vincent that establishes a deadline of March 1, 2013 for the village to correct certain violations and program deficiencies.

The deficiencies cited in the probation letter include the failure to manage floodplain development in accordance with the village’s floodplain program and a lack of adequate administrative procedures and record keeping.

While the village works to correct these violations, property owners will still be able to purchase and renew flood insurance coverage during the probationary period. However, a $50 surcharge will be added to any policy sold or renewed in the community for the next year beginning on March 1, 2013. There are currently 103 flood insurance policies in the village.

If the village fails to make progress by Sept. 1, 2013, it could be suspended from the program. The result of suspension is the loss of federally backed flood insurance in the community.  Residents in the village will not be able to purchase or renew their flood insurance policies after the suspension occurs.

Additionally, if a flood disaster occurs in a suspended community, most types of federal disaster assistance for structures within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), including federal assistance to individuals and households is not available. Also, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 prohibits federal agencies from making grants, loans, or guarantees for the acquisition or construction of structures located in a SFHA.

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

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National Flood Insurance Program Probation for Port Vincent, Louisiana

FEMA Awards More Than $2.4 Million for Community Safe Room in Brownsville, Texas

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $2.47 million to the state of Texas for construction of a community safe room in the city of Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will pay 75 percent of the $3.3 million total cost for the project, which is being built under the Texas Safe Shelter Initiative.

The concrete dome shaped safe room will serve as multi-purpose community center. It will be 25,000 square feet in size and will provide protection from storms and tornadoes for the people of Cameron County, including those with access and functional needs, as well as medical special needs. 

The federal share of the funds for the project come from the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). HMGP provides grants to states, and tribal and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures that reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.

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.

Original article:

FEMA Awards More Than $2.4 Million for Community Safe Room in Brownsville, Texas

FEMA Awards $1.8 Million for Community Safe Room in Bay City, Texas

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1.8 million to the state of Texas for construction of a community safe room in the city of Bay City in Matagorda County, Texas.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will pay 75 percent of the $2.4 million total cost for the project, which is being built under the Texas Safe Shelter Initiative.

The concrete dome shaped safe room will be 20,000 square feet in size and will provide protection from storms and tornadoes for the people of Matagorda County, including those with access and functional needs, as well as medical special needs.  It will also serve as a wellness center/physical rehabilitation facility for the Matagorda County Hospital District.

The federal share of the funds for the project come from the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). HMGP provides grants to states, and tribal and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures that reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.

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 $1.8 Million for Community Safe Room in Bay City, Texas

Less Than 6 Months Before Flood Maps are Effective in St. Helena Parish

DENTON, Texas – In less than six months, on April 2, 2013, new flood maps for St. Helena Parish, La., will

become effective.  Before the maps are final, 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 predominant 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 Acting 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, please contact your local

floodplain administrator (FPA) who may be located in the St. Helena Parish Offices or in your City Hall.
 
FEMA Map specialists and Flood Insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached

by phone and online chat:

• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to

FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com
• To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C.  Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
• For more information on estimated rates for flood insurance, flood facts and to locate an agent in your

area, visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

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.  

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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Less Than 6 Months Before Flood Maps are Effective in St. Helena Parish

FEMA Announces 2012 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Winners

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the recipients of the 2012 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. These Awards recognize the innovative practices and achievements of individuals, Citizen Corps Councils, and non-profit, faith-based, and private sector organizations working throughout the nation to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to manage any disaster or emergency event.

“It has been shown time and time again that after a disaster, the very first responders are our neighbors,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The award recipients promote preparedness across America’s communities – the bedrock of our national resiliency. I commend each and every one of the awardees for their service and innovation. They serve as a model for communities everywhere.”

Each applicant demonstrated their ability to engage the Whole Community through partnerships, achievements, and activities that took place from January 2011 to June 2012. For example, the American Red Cross Gateway to the Golden State Region chapter trained more than 16,000 individuals in lifesaving skills, such as disaster preparedness, CPR, and basic first aid, and developed a cadre of more than 200 bilingual volunteers.  The Texas State Citizen Corps Program trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers who were integrated into the response to the Bastrop Complex Fire last fall and North Texas tornadoes earlier this year.

Other awardees participated in emergency planning activities and established creative methods to address the needs of their communities. For example, North Dakota State University developed two Smartphone applications, one to address the needs of individuals and families affected by local flooding and one with information for residents stranded during a winter storm.

The Second Annual John D. Solomon Preparedness Award is being  presented to Florida’s Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE)  for collaborative work as a team of nearly 500 disaster preparedness and response organizations, engaging in efforts that reach the business community, children and youth, under-served populations, faith-based organizations, first responders, and individuals with access and functional needs, and more. The John D. Solomon Preparedness Award is named for the late creator of the groundbreaking blog, In Case of Emergency, Read Blog: A Citizen’s Eye View Of Public Preparedness. John’s body of work was striking in its reporting, analysis, engagement and impact, in preparing the public, informing professionals, and effecting change in the public and private sectors. Administrator Fugate once stated that he “set the standard for what it meant to be part of our nation’s emergency management team.”

All winners will be invited, as FEMA’s honored guests, to a community roundtable event in Washington, D.C. During the roundtable the honorees will share their innovative and successful approaches to community preparedness with emergency management leadership.

FEMA congratulates the following awardees:

Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives

  • Texas Citizen Corps (TX)

Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives

  • New York City Citizen Corps Council (NY)

Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Initiatives

  • CERT Program and Volunteers, City of Newport Beach (CA)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness

  • Chinatown Community Development Center (CA)

Preparing the Whole Community

  • American Red Cross Gateway to the Golden State (CA)

Promising Partnerships

  • Partners in Preparedness (NY)

Awareness to Action

  • American Red Cross of the Poconos (PA)

Innovative Use of Technology

  • North Dakota State University Agriculture Communication (ND)

Volunteer Integration

  • West Pierce County Fire and Rescue CERT Program (WA)

Community Preparedness Heroes

  • Michael Parker (CA)
  • Mohamed Ali (WA)
  • Scott Ellis (NJ)

Second Annual Recipient of the John D. Solomon Preparedness Award

  • Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) (FL)

The award winners were selected by a panel of leaders representing the Whole Community, including the National Emergency Management Association, the International Association of Emergency Managers, Target, the American Red Cross and FEMA. 

For a description of the award categories, please see the Application Guide.

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.

Originally posted here – 

FEMA Announces 2012 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Winners

FEMA Urges Residents in the Florida Keys and Coastal Areas to Take Steps to Prepare

FEMA and Federal Partners Continue to Monitor Tropical Storm Isaac

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners, through the FEMA Regional Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas, continue to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and remain in close coordination with local officials and emergency management partners in Florida, and other southeastern and Gulf Coast states.  According to NOAA’s National Weather Service at 11:00 a.m., Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to strengthen and become a hurricane tomorrow as the storm approaches the Florida Keys and parts of Florida. 

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Florida Keys (including the Dry Tortugas), the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach southward to Ocean Reef, and for Florida Bay.  A Hurricane Watch also is in effect for the Florida east coast from Golden Beach southward to Ocean Reef.   A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida east coast from Sebastian Inlet southward to Ocean Reef, and for Lake Okeechobee. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida east coast north of Sebastian Inlet to Flagler Beach, and for the Florida West Coast north of Bonita Beach to Tarpon Springs.

“As Tropical Storm Isaac moves closer to Florida, local residents need to be prepared,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “FEMA and its federal partners remain in close coordination with states and tribal governments across the Southeast as Tropical Storm Isaac continues to move out of the Caribbean. Residents in this area should make sure to listen to local officials for updates and information. Check your family plans and emergency supplies, review your evacuation routes and remember that evacuation orders come from local officials. Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for more information. FEMA stands ready to support states and tribal governments, if necessary.”

Today, FEMA deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team to the Louisiana emergency operations center, and on Thursday, the Agency deployed a liaison to the Florida emergency operations center to assist the state with coordination and any potential requests for assistance. Other teams have been identified and will be mobilized as needed and requested.  FEMA has distribution centers in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas, and in coordination with U.S. Northern Command, has prepositioned supplies closer to potentially affected areas if needed.  At all times, FEMA maintains commodities including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, to support states if needed and requested. 

While tropical storms are unpredictable, FEMA encourages those in the possible path of the storm to prepare now. This includes putting together a family emergency plan and emergency kit.  Some of the items in a basic emergency kit include: one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation; at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food; battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio; flashlight and extra batteries; and First Aid kit.  Having a kit can help area residents better weather the storm. Additional preparedness information can be found at Ready.gov and Listo.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends coastal residents include food safety as part of their preparedness plans.  Power outages and flooding that often result from weather emergencies compromise the safety of stored food, and planning ahead can minimize the risk of food borne illness. USDA food safety tips include having a cooler on hand to keep refrigerator food cold in case of power outage, and to group food together in the freezer; this helps the food stay cold longer. Additional food safety preparedness tips can be found at USDA Food Safety Inspection Service’s website www.fsis.usda.gov.

FEMA encourages residents to familiarize themselves with the terms that are used to identify a severe weather hazard.  A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.  A Hurricane Watch, in this case, means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 24-36 hours.  A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.  A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours. 

As is always the case, local officials make decisions on issuing evacuation orders, so FEMA advises residents to remember to listen to the direction of their local officials, and to learn where evacuation routes and sheltering locations are located, in case evacuation orders are given.

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’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.

Original source – 

FEMA Urges Residents in the Florida Keys and Coastal Areas to Take Steps to Prepare

FEMA Awards More than $1.4 Million to Texas for Repairs to the Elissa

DENTON, Texas – More than $1.4 million has been awarded to the state of Texas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for repairs to the historic ship, the Elissa, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

Wave action and storm surge generated by Hurricane Ike damaged the structural integrity of the Elissa’s hull, weakening it to a point where significant rehabilitation efforts are necessary. The funding will cover the services needed for the repair work so that the vessel can continue its role as the official tall ship of Texas.

“The Elissa is a National Historic Landmark and should be treated as such,” said FEMA Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are proud to support our state and local partners as they repair this Texas treasure and restore it to sailing condition.”

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.

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

 

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FEMA Awards More than $1.4 Million to Texas for Repairs to the Elissa

FEMA Awards More than $5.4 Million to New Mexico for Debris and Sediment Removal

FEMA Awards More than $5.4 Million to New Mexico for Debris and Sediment Removal

DENTON, Texas – More than $5.4 million has been awarded to the state of New Mexico by the Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) for debris and sediment removal from a number of retention ponds in the aftermath of severe storms and torrential rains in late

August 2011.

More than $4.1 million of the funding will cover costs related to the removal and disposal of silt and debris from 11 secondary retention structures

for the Santa Clara Pueblo. Nearly $1.3 million of the funding will cover costs to remove and dispose of sediment from a Cochiti Pueblo retention structure.

“We are committed to working with our state, local and tribal partners to assist in the recovery process. Debris and sediment removal

activities such as this are critical to the communities’ recovery because debris can pose a significant threat to the lives and safety of

residents,” said FEMA Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson.

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.

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

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FEMA Awards More than $5.4 Million to New Mexico for Debris and Sediment Removal

FEMA Announces Development of Youth Preparedness Council; Council Includes Members from Louisiana and Texas

 

FEMA Announces Development of Youth Preparedness Council; Council Includes Members from Louisiana and Texas

DENTON, Texas – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the formation of its first Youth Preparedness Council.

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council is a unique opportunity for a select group of youth leaders to serve on a highly-distinguished national council and to share their opinions, experiences, ideas and solutions to strengthen the nation’s resiliency for all types of disasters. Council members were nominated by individuals who can attest to their preparedness activities; they also demonstrate a willingness to represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness and to take information back to their communities for sharing.

Young people are integral part of preparing the nation for all hazards,” said FEMA Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson. “They influence their family and their friends to be more prepared for any disaster that may happen.”

The Youth Preparedness Council is comprised of 13 members (13-17 years of age) from across FEMA’s 10 regions. They are all dedicated to public service; are making a difference in their community; and are expanding their impact as a national advocate for youth preparedness.

The distinguished members from FEMA Region 6 are Dorian Tre’Vaughn Gregory from Breaux Bridge, La., and Jonathan DeLong from Austin, Texas.

Council members will have the opportunity to participate in a community preparedness roundtable event in Washington, D.C., where they will advise and ask questions on youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of national organizations working on this critical priority. Council members are eligible to serve for two years.

To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex.shtm.

 

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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 http://twitter.com/femaregion6, the R6 Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA Announces Development of Youth Preparedness Council; Council Includes Members from Louisiana and Texas

Preliminary Flood Maps in Osage County, OK Ready for Public View

Preliminary Flood Maps in Osage County, OK Ready for Public View 

Knowing flood risks allows for more informed decisions

Release Date: July 16, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-117

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

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

Osage 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.

“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 Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

To view the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) who may be located at City Hall or the local courthouse.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to gather information about this relatively low-cost federally backed insurance. 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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Jul-2012 10:41:25

Link:

Preliminary Flood Maps in Osage County, OK Ready for Public View

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