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In Anticipation of Severe Weather, FEMA Monitors and Encourages Residents to Prepare Now

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the potential for severe weather across the plains and several Midwestern states this week, staff at the 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 be prepared and stay informed.

“As the threat of severe weather develops, 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. “This severe weather threat is a reminder that everyone needs a family emergency plan as we can’t always anticipate when or where a disaster might strike.”

For more information on creating your family’s emergency plan, visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Preparing for Severe Weather Now

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.

Staying informed is equally important when preparing for any emergency, particularly severe weather threats. In addition to monitoring the guidance and reports of local emergency and weather officials, monitor social media 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 that serve your community. More information on building your own preparedness list is available from @FEMARegion7 on Twitter, using the hashtag #preplist, or by visiting www.twitter.com/femaregion7/lists.

Responding to Severe Weather

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

Become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe weather hazards include the following:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After a disaster, be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in 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. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.

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.

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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In Anticipation of Severe Weather, FEMA Monitors and Encourages Residents to Prepare Now

Texas Receives More Than $1.1 Million for Repairs Following the 2013 Halloween Flooding

DENTON, Texas – The state of Texas has received more than $1.1 million for repairs to roads and other facilities in the aftermath of the 2013 Halloween flooding.

Overflow from Onion Creek damaged Falwell Lane in Austin, washing away parts of the asphalt road, shoulders and slope embankments and other infrastructure at seven different locations.

Of the total funding, which is made possible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program, $925,076 covers necessary repairs at those sites, as well as measures to mitigate against future damage.

In Travis County, the flooding from Onion Creek caused damage to and the accumulation of mud, silt and other types of debris within multiple water control facilities. These facilities are constructed to serve as a buffer during periods of heavy rain, reducing the amount and intensity of storm water runoff that would otherwise occur.

The FEMA PA funding, $187,776, covers repairs at the Howard Lane Detention Pond, the Northeast Metro Park Storm Water Outflow and the Gattis School Road Detention Pond, as well as measures to mitigate against future damage.

To date, FEMA has obligated more than $10.1 million in Public Assistance funding in relation to the 2013 Halloween floods.

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

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Texas Receives More Than $1.1 Million for Repairs Following the 2013 Halloween Flooding

Revised Preliminary Flood Maps in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Morehouse Parish are encouraged to look over newly-revised preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Parish officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the revised preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks in their area. Residents and business owners can use this information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and other building decisions. Community leaders can use this information to identify how the community should move forward with any development.

“We have worked with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the parish and hope that everyone reviews the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “It is very important to have the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process.”

To view the revised flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator who may be located at City Hall or the local parish government building. You can also visit http://msc.fema.gov/portal or http://maps.riskmap6.com/LA/Morehouse/. To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

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

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Revised Preliminary Flood Maps in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana Ready for Public View

Know Your Risk, Take Action & Be a Force of Nature during Flood Safety Awareness Week

DENTON, Texas – Severe weather season is just around the corner, which brings with it the possibility of tornadoes and flooding.

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States and can happen anywhere at any time. That’s why National Flood Safety Awareness Week, which runs from March 15-21, is the perfect time to know your risk, take action and be a force of nature.

“Everyone should take steps now to prepare for flooding and any potential adverse situation,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Getting ready before something happens can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. It also helps neighborhoods and communities become more resilient, recovering more quickly from disasters.”

Know Your Risk Before a Flood:

• Do your homework. Be aware of the potential flooding risks for the particular area where you live.

Take Action Before and During a Flood:

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

Be a Force of Nature:

•   Help your community by sharing your weather and emergency preparedness story. You may inspire others to take action.
•   Write a post on Facebook or tweet about how you’ve gotten ready for floods.
•   Look for ways to help your neighborhood, town or community prepare such as joining a Community Emergency Response Team.
•   Register for America’s PrepareAthon! to learn how to stay safe during disasters.

Visit www.ready.gov or www.nws.noaa.gov for more information on preparing for floods or other disasters.

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Know Your Risk, Take Action & Be a Force of Nature during Flood Safety Awareness Week

Deadline Nears For Youth Preparedness Council Applications

DENTON, Texas —The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now accepting applications for its Youth Preparedness Council. The Council supports FEMA’s commitment to involving young people in preparedness-related activities and provides an opportunity for them to offer their perspectives, feedback and insights on how to help make the United States more resilient.

Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts in making a difference in their communities and their potential to expand their impact as national advocates for youth preparedness.

While FEMA’s National Youth Preparedness Council was first formed in 2012, FEMA Region 6’s Youth Preparedness Council got its start in 2014. The Council is made up of young people from each Region 6 state – Casey Williams of Vilonia, Ark.; Lanie Comeaux of Thibodaux, La.; Samantha Adams of Las Cruces, N.M.; Rosie Niles of Oologah, Okla.; and Obie Jones of Austin, Texas. Jones is also a member of the National Youth Preparedness Council.

“Young people are such an important part of the emergency management team,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “They bring fresh and new ideas to the table, as well as new energy and can be a positive catalyst for change. We are so proud of our Region 6 Youth Preparedness Council members. They are doing great work, helping all of us be better prepared for disasters.”

Membership on the National Youth Preparedness Council is open to all applicants of any state or tribal nation between 13 and 17 years old. They must also be engaged in individual and community preparedness or have experienced a disaster that motivated them to make a positive difference in their community. Individuals who applied for 2014 are encouraged to apply again. Current Council members have an option to extend for an additional year, upon FEMA request. Adults working with youth or on community preparedness are encouraged to share the application with young people who might be interested in applying for the Youth Preparedness Council.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must submit a completed application form and two letters of recommendation. Completed applications and all supporting materials must be received no later than March 2, 2015, 9:59 p.m. MDT/10:59 p.m. CDT. New Youth Preparedness Council members will be announced in May 2015.

For more information about completing and submitting the application, please visit: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.

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Deadline Nears For Youth Preparedness Council Applications

FEMA 2014 Funding for Texas Exceeds $211 Million

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided more than $211 million in 2014 funding to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and community partners for disaster recovery, mitigation and preparedness.

“FEMA, in partnership with TDEM, 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 Texas residents strengthen their resilience.”

The $211 million includes more than $262,000 from FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, $26.9 million in Public Assistance dollars for repair and replacement of infrastructure after a disaster, $57.7 million in Hazard Mitigation, and more than $126.6 million in Preparedness funding to mitigate damage from future disasters.

The 2014 federal funding covered numerous projects in Texas including:
•   More than $14 million to assist in the construction of a new high school in West, TX which included the construction of a tornado shelter within the school.
•   Over $23.1 million was awarded through the Operation Stonegarden preparedness program. The intent of this program is to enhance coordination among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to secure the borders.
•   $1.8 million was provided for the construction of two safe rooms in Quanah, TX. When completed, these safe rooms will provide protection to 1,757 nearby residents during the threat of tornadoes.

In addition to providing federal funding, FEMA’s Mitigation Division has taken steps to improve the on-line resources for communities. In 2014 the Risk Communications Guidebook was updated to include the most recent information on the National Flood Insurance Program reform.

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FEMA 2014 Funding for Texas Exceeds $211 Million

President Declares Major Disaster for Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, and mudslides during the period of December 4-6, 2014.

Federal funding is available to the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, flooding, and mudslides.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Tribe.

Rosalyn L. Cole has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Cole said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribe and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

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President Declares Major Disaster for Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Nearly $1.4 Million Awarded to New Mexico and Pueblo of Acoma for Irrigation Channel Repair

DENTON, Texas – Nearly $1.4 million was awarded recently to the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for repair of the Anzac Irrigation Channel System.

Nearly five miles of the concrete-lined channel received severe damage as a result of torrential rains and severe flooding in Cibola County in July and August 2010. Structural flaws and damages were revealed following the removal of accumulated silt from the channel.

“We remain committed to assisting tribal nations as they recover from natural disasters and rebuild critical infrastructure,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The Pueblo fo Acoma has a strong agricultural heritage. Rebuilding the channel will ensure necessary irrigation for tribal farmlands in the future.”

This grant is part of $3.7 million obligated to the Pueblo of Acoma, and part of mroe than $11.6 million in Public Assistance grants that have been obligated to the state of New Mexico related to the severe storms and flooding in the summer of 2010. The funding awarded 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 cabability 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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Nearly $1.4 Million Awarded to New Mexico and Pueblo of Acoma for Irrigation Channel Repair

Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Aransas and San Patricio, TX

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners in the Texas counties of Aransas and San Patricio are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort follows the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks. To share that data, public workshops are scheduled in each of the counties where interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes.

San Patricio County Aransas County

Wednesday, November 5 Thursday, November 6

San Patricio County Fairgrounds-Civic Center City of Rockport Service Center

219 W. 5^th Street 2751 SH 35 Bypass

Sinton, TX Rockport, TX

2 p.m. – 7 p.m. 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to these counties, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA R6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.txchart.com. Residents can also contact the floodplain administrator in each county for more details.

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Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Aransas and San Patricio, TX

New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Named to National Register of Historic Places

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) are pleased to announce the new listing of New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing, approved by the National Park Service in late September, marks a major milestone for the community and those involved in the nomination process.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, FEMA surveyed the city of New Orleans to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act which requires FEMA to consider the effects of its program grants on historic properties.

During the process, FEMA collaborated with community members, preservation organizations and the State Historic Preservation Officer to document the richness and cultural heritage of the city. In doing so, it became clear that many neighborhoods and districts might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. In order to be considered, a property’s significance and integrity are reviewed and evaluated.

During the survey, FEMA identified Edgewood Park as a notable historic neighborhood that clearly met many of the eligibility requirements for consideration. The Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requested that FEMA officially nominate Edgewood Park to the National Register as one of the mitigation measures specified in the Hazard Mitigation Programmatic Agreement as a public benefit to the neighborhood, the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.

FEMA conducted extensive research and documentation over several years utilizing a team of historic preservation specialists and historic architects. SHPO provided feedback and input and a final nomination document was prepared and submitted in July 2014 to the state’s national Register Review Committee.

Developed in 1909, Edgewood Park appealed to residents due to its streetcar accessibility, bucolic nature, high natural elevation, new drainage systems, cement sidewalks and a short commute to downtown New Orleans.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some buildings in the southern end had floodwaters up to the eaves but the neighborhood, now nine years later, has recovered and retained its historical integrity. Today, Edgewood Park features many early to mid-20th century architectural styles.

“Edgewood Park’s official designation on the National Register of Historic Places is first and foremost, honorary, and it is a great privilege to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Jessica G. Richardson, National Register Coordinator for the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation. “Additionally, there are benefits associated with listing on the National Register including eligibility for certain Federal and State tax incentives, a Restoration Tax Abatement Program, and the ability to apply for grants when they are available,” continued Richardson. “Edgewood Park’s listing on the National Register does not restrict the use of a property.”

FEMA continues to collaborate with local and state officials, community members and preservations groups to ensure that all revitalization projects comply with federal and state laws by exploring ways to avoid, minimize and offset any negative effects to properties listed on the National Register.

For more information on this district and the wealth of historic resources in the State of Louisiana, visit SHPO’s website at http://www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/historic-preservation/index. or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Louisiana-Office-of-Cultural-Development/….

You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/nr/.

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New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Named to National Register of Historic Places

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