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Recovery on Pine Ridge – One year later: A Holistic Approach – Partners Working Together

PINE RIDGE, S.D. – Hundreds of families’ lives were turned upside down and were severely affected after the devastating storms and floods hit Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Many homes were beyond repair. Families and friends were forced to find other places to live, doubling and tripling up in homes that were habitable, at a time when there was already a significant housing shortage on the Reservation.

Dirt and gravel roads took a heavy beating, with washouts numerous and culverts damaged. This limited access for individuals to basic needs, including food and medical attention.

Even before the storms, resources within the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) were already stretched to the limits. Recovery was going to take time… and take many partners working as one.

Housing and roads were among the priorities identified by Oglala Sioux Tribal President John Yellow Bird Steele. Two task forces with leaders and members from the tribe, OST organizations, and federal agencies, were established to confront these challenges head on. Their task is to identify the issues, and work to make things better not only now, but for the future.

Housing

The OST Housing Task Force, is co-chaired by the Oglala Sioux Lakota Housing and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The focus has been on “One Nation – One Number” – OST’s initiative to document unmet housing needs and capture a comprehensive number of people living on the reservation. The hard numbers can better tell the story of overcrowding and cramped living conditions than anecdotal details alone. And while some numbers are currently available, there is no uniformity in how they are compiled or methodologies used. Consistency and accuracy of the numbers is vital for all the various funding opportunities for tribal programs.

Another initiative is underway to combat the high energy bills on the reservation by delivering a simple weatherization program outlining ways in which homeowners can improve energy efficiency in their homes. It focuses on providing information about no-cost and low-cost ways of saving energy – things that individuals can do themselves.

Roads

The OST Roads Task Force, is co-chaired by the Oglala Sioux Tribe-Department of Transportation (OST-DOT) and the Federal Highways Administration. As with the Housing Task Force, many tribal federal partners have come to the table. And like the Housing Task Force, the Roads Task Force found the lack of data documenting tribal roads and conditions can contribute to inadequate funding and opportunities for road construction, repairs, equipment and personnel.

For two months, assessment teams traveled the reservation, collecting information on location, construction, and condition on 1720 tribal roads totaling 466 miles to be entered into the OST-DOT data base. It will be included in the Geospatial Information System (GIS) mapping of Pine Ridge Reservation, as part of the OST “One Nation – One Map” project.

Estimates of repair and maintenance costs are also being developed to demonstrate funding needs and support prioritization of tribal road improvement projects and maintenance. This will also provide a baseline for the future by detailing the current condition of all roads.

Preparing for the Future

Building capability within the Tribe has also been a priority focus. Education, training and other initiatives provide opportunities for the tribe to enhance their ability to plan for and respond in the future.

Strategic Planning and Management Training was offered to Tribal leadership and agency staff teaching the importance of planning and walking through a step by step planning process and create a plan for the area they were responsible for. This will augment the work of an OST Planning Office, which is in development.
Tribal officials and employees attended FEMA’s “Emergency Management Framework for Tribal Governments” course. This training provides tribal leaders a basic understanding of emergency management and their role in leading and directing their tribe in implementing comprehensive emergency management systems.
Tribal leaders and members representing multiple tribal agencies received training on FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects, what could be considered eligible and requirements to apply.
In coordination with FEMA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, an in-depth assessment of all GIS activities on the reservation is underway. This assessment will analyze current staffing levels, equipment, IT infrastructure, and data needs. In addition, BIA will offer their “Principles of GIS” course to the tribal staff responsible for GIS activities.
One of the needs identified for the Pine Ridge Reservation is a structural fire suppression and prevention program, which currently is not available. Federal and tribal partners are taking steps to solve this issue and funding opportunities are being explored.

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Recovery on Pine Ridge – One year later: A Holistic Approach – Partners Working Together

Disaster Recovery Center will have assistance for survivors with disabilities, seniors and families next week

Main Content

Release date:

September 24, 2015

Release Number:

DR-4235-CNMI-0033

SAIPAN, CNMI – The Disability Network Partners on Saipan will be at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Susupe on Sept. 28-30. They will be there to provide extra technical support and resources to individuals with disabilities, senior citizens and their families who are seeking FEMA and or other disaster assistance. They will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is within but not the same hours that the DRC is open.
Representatives from one or more of these groups will be available at the DRC:
-The Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)
-The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
-The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
-The Center for Living Independently (CLI)
-The Independent Living Group (ILG)
-State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
-The Autism Society of the CNMI (ASCNMI)
-The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. (NMPASI)
-The VOICES Self Advocacy Group of the CNMI
-The Commonwealth Respite Service Program (CRSP)
-The Trankilu Alternative Financing Program (TAFP)
-The Commonwealth Coalition on Anti-Stigma of Mental Illness (CAMI).
-The CNMI Office of Transportation Authority (COTA)
-Commonwealth Advocates for Relief Efforts (C.A.R.E.)
Anyone needing reasonable accommodation at any time, please call 235-7273/4 or visit NMPASI.

Last Updated:

September 25, 2015 – 14:28

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Related Disaster:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon Soudelor

Source:

Disaster Recovery Center will have assistance for survivors with disabilities, seniors and families next week

FEMA Seeks Local Help to Assist in Disaster Recovery Through Job Fair

Saipan, CNMI – FEMA has joined forces with the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands’ Department of Labor (DOL) to recruit individuals to work in temporary, full-time positions available locally with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The DOL, in conjunction with the FEMA local hire program, will host a job fair at the Northern Marianas College on Sept. 14-17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room A8. The purpose of this fair is to give local residents who have no Internet connectivity the opportunity to apply for the temporary jobs with FEMA.

The CNMI Transit Authority will provide free transportation to and from the Northern Marianas College during the event. Staff from the DOL will be on hand to assist with resume writing, along with a FEMA representative to help make sure resumes are routed to the correct location. Transportation pick-up locations will be:

• In the As Matuis/San Roque area, Welcome Market

• In the Tanapag area, IMart

• In the Garapan area, Paseo de Marianas

• In the Capitol Hill area, Sarah Market

• In all three Kagman areas, Kagman Market

• In the San Antonio area, Basketball Court

• In the Koblerville area, Basketball Court

• In the Dandan area, Dandan Middle School

FEMA routinely offers employment to residents in disaster areas to support the local economy and provide jobs to those who may have lost employment due to the disaster.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older. Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes finger printing and a credit check.

Job descriptions are available at http://www.wia.gov.mp/ and at http://www.marianaslabor.net/. CNMI residents may apply by e-mail: fema-dr-4235-mp-hire-me@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA is committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation, and any other non-merit factor. The federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For the latest information on CNMI’s recovery from Typhoon Soudelor, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4235.

Originally posted here:

FEMA Seeks Local Help to Assist in Disaster Recovery Through Job Fair

2013 Colorado Floods Federal Assistance Fact Sheet

FEDERAL AGENCY ASSISTANCE OVERVIEW

Immediately following the historic September 2013 flooding in Colorado, federal agencies coordinated in a unified approach. Some federal agencies provided assistance under mission assignments from FEMA. In many other cases, agencies also responded and provided funding under their own authorities. Together, these agencies contributed to combined, collaborative effort to respond to public health and safety needs throughout the State. Federal life-saving and life-sustaining personnel worked under the direction, and at the request of, state and local leadership. Here’s a summary of the federal actions funded by FEMA and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to ensure communities and people in the area were protected from further harm and could begin their recovery.

In all, FEMA directed 66 federal response and recovery assignments at a cost of more than $13.4 million to FEMA and almost $2.3 million to the State of Colorado.

In addition, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has approved nearly $65.5 million on 2,093 claims, which is approximately 98 percent of all submitted claims.

National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA)

NGA provided geospatial analysts to supplement Geographic Information System production with the Urban Search and Rescue White Incident Support Team. Analysts provided analytical expertise, computer equipment, and a suite of GIS software to support disaster operations.

NGA deployed two analysts to Boulder and Loveland, Colo., and launched its suite of analysis and collaboration tools to aid search and rescue efforts and provide flood and damage assessments.

Utilizing a new system, GeoQ, imagery and analysis from multiple sources and geographically dispersed analysts facilitated the use of crowdsourcing to define the extent of damaged areas. It enabled analysts to review imagery from different sources simultaneously, rather than sequentially, which results in much faster damage assessments.

NGA’s imagery-derived damage assessments were especially critical because flooding did not take the course of typical river- and stream-bed patterns.

The technology NGA provided enhanced urban search and rescue operations by depicting, graphically, where searches already had occurred and areas search and rescue personnel had already covered.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. (BVI)

TVA Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. (BVI) provided experienced Public Assistance project specialists with intensive FEMA eligibility experience. Specialists assisted FEMA by assessing damages, developing scopes of work, writing project worksheets, and providing general assistance to FEMA’s disaster recovery Public Assistance program. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS)

USDA activated personnel to assist recovery activities and operations. The agency has also supported the Recovery Support Functions by providing expertise, assisting with damage and impact assessments and long term recovery planning activities.

NRCS has provided an estimated $14.3 million to help over $15.7 million in construction costs. This funding will help cover costs of 40 projects at more than 170 sites.

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

DoD provided both air and ground search and rescue support operations with heavy lift, medium lift and medical evacuation rotary wing aircraft as well as high water vehicles from the Colorado National Guard and 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson. Numerous DoD subject matter experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Army North; and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base provided technical planning and assessment support.

The Defense Coordinating Element supporting staff with its Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers working in the state emergency operations center; Joint Field Office; Regional Response Coordination Center; incident command posts; congressional joint task force base; and federal staging area at Buckley Air Force Base provided knowledge and liaison support to FEMA Region VIII and other agencies.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

USACE provided support to the state of Colorado, including: technical assistance for debris removal and stream restoration work; infrastructure assessments of water and wastewater treatment plants; technical assistance in the development of engineering scopes of work under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program; external affairs support to the FEMA Joint Information Center; and coordination/facilitation with the integration of interagency capabilities focused on regional long-term recovery.

U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol (USAF – CAP)

USAF – CAP provided aircraft for transportation of FEMA, State and other federal agency personnel to assess infrastructure and property damage.

The Colorado Wing of USAF-CAP provided aerial and ground photos that were used to help assess damage. Photography missions flew out of Centennial, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan airports. By September 19, 2013, the teams had captured 10,000 photographs of flooded rivers, roads, towns, farms, residential property and vehicles.

The mission included flights over Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, El Paso, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington and Weld counties.

Aircrews in red, white and blue CAP planes and ground team members provided images of flooded rivers, roads, highways, bridges, towns, farms, residential property, vehicles and more at minimal cost to taxpayers.

CAP aircrews also flew representatives of FEMA, ABC News and Good Morning America over sections of the South Platte and Big Thompson rivers. The photographs and video included damage south of Greeley, where a bridge on U.S. 34 across the South Platte had been washed away.

U.S. Department of Energy (DoE)

DoE provided 24-hour support to the FEMA Region VIII Regional Response Coordination Center, Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT), and worked with stakeholders to identify power restoration hurdles and mitigation actions. The Department also closely monitored impacts of the event on energy infrastructure.

U.S. Department of the Interior (DoI)

The Department of the Interior provided natural and cultural resources expertise, including knowledge about National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act compliance and cultural and historic property preservation.

DoI Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The BLM provided on-call aviation personnel to support Disaster Operations. BLM support included aircraft and personnel necessary to accomplish evacuations, assessments of critical infrastructure, personnel, cargo transport and aerial photography for missions.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) – Federal Highway Administration

FHWA provided $270 million to the Colorado Department of Transportation for help in repairing flood-damaged roads, highways and bridges. That amount includes $5 million provided in “quick release” emergency relief funds on September 13, 2014, as well as $25 million provided just three days later, on September 16.

FHWA’s Central Federal Lands Division provided an estimated $482 million to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Of this amount, $326 million is for repair and replacement required to state infrastructure and $156 million is for repair of local infrastructure.

The agency also activated personnel to assist with highway design and environmental information. Specialists also coordinated with the Colorado DOT to help plan road repairs. FHWA has also provided support to the Recovery Support Functions by helping with damage and impact assessments and long-term recovery planning activities, including highway design and environmental information and coordination.

U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has provided $426,683 in grants to support disaster and community economic resiliency efforts in Colorado. Through the EDA, the Department of Commerce led the highly coordinated interagency and whole community effort to help state and local governments and the private sector sustain and rebuild businesses and employment. The grants include:

$126,683 in Local Technical Assistance funds to the Estes Park Local Marketing District, Estes Park, Colorado, to fund a tourism marketing plan to boost tourism in the northern Colorado region. Using print and digital placements, the campaign’s goal is to increase tourism to help the region recover and make up for lost revenues that resulted from the devastating floods in September 2013.

$300,000 in Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to the Town of Estes Park (including surrounding region) to develop a strategy that will guide their economic diversification and resiliency efforts. One key component of this grant is developing specific actions to make use of Estes Park’s existing fiber optic ring to deliver improved broadband services to the town and surrounding region. By working with other affected communities – including nearby Loveland and Lyons – this strategy will help the region diversify while strengthening their existing established industry clusters.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA coordinated and executed necessary actions associated with debris clearance, removal, and disposal from public property to eliminate or lessen immediate threats to public health and safety. EPA removed debris from critical access routes, roads, bridges, waterways, and rights-of-way for emergency vehicles and public access. This support included pick-up, segregation, hauling, and disposal of flood debris at a landfill or reuse for stream stabilization.

EPA provided health-related analysis in heavily impacted areas. EPA conducted a landfill assessment in the Town of Evans. “Phase I” included initial observation and information gathering. This included use of contractor resources and other specialists, including the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, (ATSDR). “Phase I” informed the development of recommendations for action and defined the scope of work for subsequent phases. “Phase II” included more in-depth investigation of the nature and extent of the potential threats associated with the landfill.

EPA personnel performed a wide range of supportive initiatives to the FEMA Region VIII Regional Response Coordination Center, Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT), and other teams.

EPA provided aerial technical analysis of potential impacted areas to help identify immediate threats associated with oil and hazardous materials that may have been discharged or released by the flood. The review was necessary for mitigating actual and potential threats to public health and safety.

EPA also conducted oil and hazardous materials field operations. EPA personnel and contractor specialists provided assistance to counties to estimate the volume of household hazardous waste and other waste containers. Field operations also included pick-up, segregation, hauling, and disposal of the orphaned containers and household hazardous wastes.

U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)

USFA supported command, control and coordination personnel and resources to Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs), area command teams and multi-agency coordination groups. The teams provided command, control and coordination resources, including incident search and rescue, and medical and security needs for assigned resources.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD invested more than $320 million through the department’s Community Development Block Grant program. The funding will support the State of Colorado’s long-term recovery efforts, primarily in Boulder, Weld and Larimer counties. HUD’s CDBG grants are intended to confront housing, business and infrastructure needs.

Additionally, subject matter experts assisted survivors by answering questions and providing direction and disaster-related resources. HUD personnel staffed Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and other locations.

U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The IRS provided subject matter experts to assist survivors by answering questions and providing direction and disaster-related publications/resources. Personnel staffed and/or provided publications to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and other locations as required during open hours, which was sometimes 12 hours per day.

The IRS provided tax relief to survivors in affected counties by postponing certain filing and payment deadlines.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA has provided $109.6 million in low-interest disaster loans to 2,127 renters and homeowners and 374 businesses.

SBA Business Recovery Centers in Estes Park, Greeley, Longmont and Loveland received a total of 933 visits. SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Aurora, Colorado Springs and Golden received a total of 403 visits.

View post:

2013 Colorado Floods Federal Assistance Fact Sheet

One Year After Historic Colorado Flooding: Disaster Unified Review Team Expedites Environmental Recovery

DENVER – One year after devastating historic flooding, a team of specialized recovery partners is working together in a unified approach to environmental and historic preservation. The top objective of the team is to help expedite long-term recovery in the Centennial State – and in ways that will also benefit recovery after future disasters.

As part of their ongoing partnership in recovery with the State of Colorado, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) branch initiated a Disaster Unified Review Team (DURT). The team was developed as a think tank of local, state and federal partners working to identify measures for creating an easement for environmental and historic resource preservation regulatory requirements. The main priority of the DURT is to enhance and simplify the creation, review and maintenance of environmental and historic preservation documents.

FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Dan Alexander established the role of the Environmental and Historic Preservation Advisor to lead the team, which is comprised of federal and state partners, including the: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDoT); Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA); Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW); Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB); Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS); State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); U.S. Department of the Interior (DoI); U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

“This kind of unified approach we are taking is critical to a full, successful recovery here – and our mission will go a long way in helping to lay the groundwork for recovery after future disasters in any community,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Alexander. “When multiple agencies work hand-in-hand, sharing an engaged role in the recovery process, a whole community naturally grows, and the momentum that is built can help better sustain recovery for the long-term.”

All of the partner agencies are involved on multiple levels. Some highlight potential upcoming hurdles or challenges, while others facilitate environmental data exchange or contribute technical advisory support.

The team has already made great strides in its top priority, which is to harmonize records for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. In one initiative, an online GeoPlatform was established as a secure utility for sharing geospatial data among DURT partners. The tool is called the DURT Viewer. It is being used to depict project areas and classifications among various partners and agencies. This includes project locations, descriptions, impacted areas, dollar amounts and revisions. This project information is then overlaid with environmental and historic resource data, which is also being shared. Using the shared data allows for greater efficiency in identifying areas with high federal grant program investment. This aspect is critical in streamlining areas with the greatest need for NEPA documentation, or other higher level environmental focus.

The team is also focused on Programmatic Environmental Assessments (PEAs). PEAs can help expedite funding for disaster-related debris in streams, and repair of roads, bridges, trails and other elements of the infrastructure. For instance, in the town of Jamestown, Colo., review is underway to assess disaster-related repairs and expansion or relocation of damaged infrastructure. The document that has been produced by FEMA’s EHP branch will remain on file where it will be retrievable to help cover baseline NEPA documentation in the event of future disasters in the town of Jamestown. The PEA for roads, bridges and trails was written to address damage caused by the 2013 flooding, but can be applied to future events in Colorado. It is intended to help streamline the ability of local municipalities to qualify for federal funding, while at the same time promoting the development of more resilient projects.

The unified approach of the DURT team is just one of the many highlights of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, which President Obama signed into effect on January 29, 2013.

The DURT team will continue to meet monthly as steady progress in recovery continues in Colorado.

View original post here –

One Year After Historic Colorado Flooding: Disaster Unified Review Team Expedites Environmental Recovery

FEMA Funding Continues to Flow to New York for Sandy Recovery

Main Content

Release date:

June 9, 2014

Release Number:

SRO-008

NEW YORK – Area parks and beaches that Hurricane Sandy left in shambles are opening, heralding another summer season. They also serve as tangible signs that New York is steadily recovering from the historic storm. Federal aid continues to flow to the state to help rebuild; FEMA Public Assistance grants total nearly $2.6 billion.

Recent awards include:

More than $72.4 million to New York City Parks and Recreation for debris removal and ongoing repairs to picnic areas, handball courts, marinas, equipment and other facilities;
Nearly $150 million to Suffolk County for debris removal at Tadsen’s Marina and throughout the county; for permanent repairs at Timberpoint Golf Course and for emergency repairs at Meschutte Beach Park and other county facilities;
Nearly $300,000 to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs to replace office equipment and to make building repairs;
More than $68.5 million to the City of Long Beach for debris removal and beach repairs;
About $11.3 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for repair, replacement and hazard mitigation of damaged elements of the transportation system;
Nearly $2.7 million for repairs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

For Hurricane Sandy, FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations 90 percent of eligible costs for emergency and permanent work. Additional funding is expected for an array of projects throughout the affected areas.

To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New York, visit: fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.

Email NYRN@fema.dhs.gov to join the New York Recovery Network to find news, reports, grant announcements, events, training opportunities and research related to recovery and resilience

Last Updated:

July 2, 2014 – 15:47

State/Tribal Government or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

See more here –

FEMA Funding Continues to Flow to New York for Sandy Recovery

As search continues, teams expand target focus on new areas

EVERETT, Wash. – SR530 slide search teams will direct their efforts to a smaller section as early as Friday morning.

In the coming days, workers at the slide area will shift the focus of their search to the area south of the temporary berm. Experts say this area, which includes two of the total 21 search zones, offers the highest probability of search success.

Since the SR530 slide March 22, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified 39 individual fatalities. Four more people remain on the list of missing.

As the search area narrows, the goal of the search crews remains the same: to find as many of the missing individuals for their families as possible.

Since the berm was constructed, workers have drained the area of water from the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River, which was backed up as a result of the slide blocking the river’s flow. The next step is to allow the area to dry out so workers can safely search it.

Right now, the area is too dangerous to search. When the search will begin is weather dependent; the area may be dry enough to search by Friday, but this week’s rain could delay the timetable.

This search will involve specially trained staff, and fewer workers than earlier search efforts, primarily for worker safety. Although the number of people involved in the search will be reduced, work will continue at all levels: local, state, tribal and federal.

The “wide-area” search will continue, but on a smaller scale, while the work south of the berm will be a technical, targeted search. Search and rescue leaders think this approach offers the best chance to locate missing people.

Current plans call for the following teams to remain on site: a Snohomish County technical search team; a total of eight canine teams; Washington Task Force 1 to prepare for departure on April 19; up to 100 Washington National Guard soldiers to continue searching, with 15 to 20 trained as spotters (crews with specialized instruction that aid the National Guard); a Type 3 Incident Management team to arrive on April 21 and a Type 2 team to demobilize on April 24.

An important related issue is re-establishing the vital SR530 transportation link between Darrington, Oso and Arlington. Search crews must complete their work in the area south of the berm before the Washington State Department of Transportation can evaluate the highway damage, begin clearing the highway and formulate a plan for making repairs.

As the search area narrows, individuals are strongly urged to stay away from the slide area. This area remains too dangerous for people to visit.

While the search is shifting to a new phase, support for local residents and property owners will continue at the local, state, tribal and federal levels.

As search continues, teams expand target focus on new areas

FEMA Awards $3 Million to Louisiana Department of Transportation for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will receive a $3 million federal grant to reimburse the costs it incurred clearing debris, including boats, from public roads after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday.

The $3,085,418 grant covers the removal and disposal of debris, including:

77,400 cubic yards of vegetative debris (a cubic yard is about the size of a washing machine)
37,200 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris
55,200 cubic yards of marsh grass
7,000 cubic yards of hazardous household waste
35,000 cubic yards of sediment
47 boats deposited in state roadways

“Debris removal is an essential step in disaster recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “By restoring access to schools, businesses and recreation, this work provided Louisianians with an important step in their journey back to normal.”

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state. The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $3,085,418, helps reimburse the department during the Hurricane Isaac response and recovery.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $222.9 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Awards $3 Million to Louisiana Department of Transportation for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

FEMA Awards $3.7 Million to Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will receive a $3.7 million federal grant to reimburse some of the costs associated with the delivery of fuel and fuel tanks meant to maintain vital citizen services during and after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Friday.

The department will receive $3,720,547 in Public Assistance grant funds to help cover the costs of fuel distribution to agencies such as Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Transportation and Development, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Correctional Institute for Women. During the storm and subsequent days, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry dispensed more than 375,000 gallons of diesel fuel and more than 67,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline to 14 agencies across the state.

“During and after Hurricane Isaac, the department distributed essential fuel to provide emergency power to keep food supplies safe and run temporary pet shelters,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This distribution offered a vital public service for the citizens of Louisiana.”

The newly awarded funds are a portion of the nearly $223 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana, it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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Source:

FEMA Awards $3.7 Million to Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

FEMA OKs Nearly $3 Million to Rebuild Irene-Destroyed SEPTA Embankment

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Nearly $3 million in federal funding has been approved for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to reconstruct a critical stretch of rail line in Delaware County, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

The funds covered reconstruction that was completed on a 40-foot-tall embankment that supported the Norristown High Speed Line between Roberts and Conestoga roads in Radnor Township. The 150-foot-long stretch of SEPTA train track was destroyed by heavy rains, including Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee floodwaters, during the period from Sept. 3 through Oct. 15.

So much soil was washed away that the slope of land shifted out and down approximately 16 inches. Additionally, the shift caused the inbound set of tracks to drop approximately 12 inches.

A technique known as “soil nailing” was utilized to rebuild the slope. Soil nailing is a construction technique in which metal anchors, called “soil nails,” are either driven or drilled into rock or stable material to secure an unstable area. Grout is then pumped into and around the nails to permanently hold them. After the grout cures, a metal mesh fabric is affixed to the heads of the nails.

Because the collapse of the embankment was a direct result of Hurricane Irene, the project to replace it qualifies for Public Assistance in Category G, which covers permanent repair or replacement of eligible damaged rail facilities. For a detailed description of Public Assistance categories see http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-eligible-work.

FEMA has obligated $2,943,479 for the embankment to be restored to its pre-disaster condition.

This amount comprises the 75 percent federal cost-share of the reconstruction project, which is estimated to cost a total of $3,924,639. The remaining 25 percent non-federal share will be paid by the Commonwealth.

FEMA manages the Public Assistance program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the federal Public Assistance process see http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-frequently-asked-questions.

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 Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

Credit:

FEMA OKs Nearly $3 Million to Rebuild Irene-Destroyed SEPTA Embankment

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