FEMA Region 6 Urges People to Get Ready Now for Potential Severe Winter Weather

DENTON, Texas – People living in parts of New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma are urged to get ready now for potential severe winter weather over the next few days in the form of freezing rain and possible ice accumulation.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 6 office continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to support state and local partners as needed and requested in the affected areas.

“We encourage people to keep listening to their local and state officials for updated instructions and information. The safety of people is the first priority,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We also encourage people to have an individual or family emergency plan in place, practice that plan and put together a winter weather emergency kit.”

In addition to items normally found in an emergency preparedness kit, the winter weather kit should include:

• Rock salt or other more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways;
• Sand to improve traction;
• Sufficient heating fuel in case you lose power in your home; and
• Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.

You will also want to minimize travel; keep a disaster supply kit in your vehicle; and bring pets inside.
More tools and resources are available online to help you prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of disaster. Visit www.Ready.gov or the Spanish language site www.Listo.gov.

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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 Region 6 Urges People to Get Ready Now for Potential Severe Winter Weather

Morgan County Disaster Recovery Center Will Close

DENVER – The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Brush, Morgan County, will close at          3 p.m. MST on Saturday, Nov. 23.

MORGAN COUNTY 

Morgan County Fairgrounds

750 Ellsworth St.

Brush, CO 80723

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

Survivors with losses from the storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

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Morgan County Disaster Recovery Center Will Close

Disaster Recovery Center in Boulder County Will Close

DENVER – The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Lyons, Boulder County, will close at  6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18.

BOULDER COUNTY 

Lyons Elementary School Gym

338 High St.

Lyons, CO 80540

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST, Friday, Nov. 15.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., MST, Saturday, Nov. 16.

Closed on Sunday, Nov. 17.

9 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST, Monday, Nov. 18.

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Survivors with losses from the storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

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Disaster Recovery Center in Boulder County Will Close

Five Months Remain Before Smith Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas –– In five months, on Wednesday, April 14, 2014, new flood maps for Smith County, Texas will become effective.  Before that date, 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 #1 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 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, residents can contact their local floodplain administrator.  

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

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. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their 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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6.  

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Five Months Remain Before Smith Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

Five Months Remain Before Lee County, Texas Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas –– In five months, on Wednesday, April 14, 2014, new flood maps for Lee County, Texas will become effective.  Before that date, 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 #1 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 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, residents can contact their local floodplain administrator.  

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

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. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their 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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6.  

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Five Months Remain Before Lee County, Texas Flood Maps Become Final

New Disaster Recovery Center Open in Colorado Springs

DENVER – A new El Paso County Disaster Recovery Center in Colorado Springs opens for six days beginning Monday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, and closes permanently on Saturday, Nov. 16.

EL PASO COUNTY

Norris-Penrose Event Center

1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., MST, Monday through Saturday, Nov. 16, when it closes permanently.

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

Representatives from FEMA and the SBA are among the agencies represented at each DRC to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Survivors with disaster losses will save time by registering with FEMA before going to a DRC.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

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New Disaster Recovery Center Open in Colorado Springs

Changes for Three Disaster Recovery Centers

DENVER – There are changes to the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) schedules in Boulder, Fremont and Morgan counties.

  • Boulder County – The DRC at the Lyons Elementary Gym, 338 High St., in Lyons will close every Sunday, beginning Nov. 10.
  • Morgan County – The DRC at the Fort Morgan Police Station, 901 E. Beaver Ave. will close permanently at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9.
  • Fremont County – The DRC at Garden Park High School, 201 N. 6th St., in Cañon City will close permanently at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9.

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call   800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

Source: 

Changes for Three Disaster Recovery Centers

November Is Critical Infrastructure Security And Resilience Month

WILLISTON, Vt. – It usually takes a disaster like Tropical Storm Irene – which knocked out roads, electricity, water, and communications – to remind us how important our infrastructure is to our communities and our way of life.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging Vermonters to become more aware of critical infrastructure and the need to protect it from disasters or other hazards.

President Barack Obama has declared November Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, and officials say disasters like Irene and this year’s flooding events demonstrate the importance of expanding and reinforcing critical infrastructure security and resilience.

“The memory of Irene is still strong in Vermont,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont operations. “Now is a good time to think about how important our transportation, communication, and utility infrastructure is and what we can do to protect it.”

Critical infrastructure is the systems that form the backbone of America’s national and economic security, including the electric grid, communications structures, transportation systems, and utilities like water and sewer, as well as the cyber-security of these systems.

“In this day and age, protecting critical infrastructure means more than safeguarding electric substations or bridges,” said Ross Nagy, Deputy Director of the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “It also means ensuring that the control systems for these facilities are safe from cyber-attack or human error that could disrupt crucial networks.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security – FEMA’s parent agency – urges all Americans to do their part in ensuring critical infrastructure security and resilience by doing the following:

  • Learn about steps you can take to enhance security and resilience in your businesses and communities and how to handle certain events.
  • Make a plan with your families to keep your loved ones safe.
  • If you run a business, make a plan to keep your employees and community safe and enhance your ability to recover operations quickly. If you are an employee, ask your management whether there are plans in place and get a copy.
  • Report suspicious activity.

To learn more visit: http://www.dhs.gov/critical-infrastructure

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

Link – 

November Is Critical Infrastructure Security And Resilience Month

Deadline For Requests For Public Assistance Is Approaching

SANTA FE – State agencies, tribal and local governments, certain private nonprofit organizations and community ditch associations in counties hit hard by the July 23 through 28 storms and flooding
must turn in their Requests for Public Assistance (RPA) during the Public Assistance Applicants briefings conducted by the State of New Mexico. These briefings will take place no later than November 16.

Filing such a request with the state is the first step in the process of applying for federal reimbursements under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program.

The grants are obligated to the state to reimburse eligible applicants for expenses incurred while taking emergency measures to protect lives and property; cleaning up downed trees, power poles and other debris; and repairing public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public utilities. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent.

The counties and pueblos covered by the existing declaration are: Bernalillo, Colfax, Luna, Sandoval, and Socorro counties and the Cochiti, Kewa (Santa Domingo), San Felipe, and Sandia Pueblos.

Public entities in these counties and pueblos which haven’t reported damages from the July 23-28 storms are urged to report them to their local emergency managers.

“We urge all eligible applicants to attend these briefings and make their requests for assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper. “The Requests for Public Assistance start the process of getting their eligible costs reimbursed, which helps get communities back on track.”

Although the program is oriented to public entities, private nonprofit organizations may apply directly to FEMA via the RPA for uninsured costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures. Additionally, nonprofits may qualify for FEMA assistance to make infrastructure repairs if they provide critical services, such as fire and emergency rescue; medical treatment; power, water and sewer resources; and communications systems.

Officials in these counties and pueblos who have questions about the Public Assistance Applicants briefings should contact Brian Williams at 505-476-9601.

Details of the PA program are on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.
More information on New Mexico disaster recovery is available online at www.nmdhsem.org/
 

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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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Deadline For Requests For Public Assistance Is Approaching

Federal Disaster Aid for Individuals and Businesses Tops $100 Million

DENVER – Federal disaster assistance for Colorado flood survivors recovering from the September storms has topped $100 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $49.4 million in housing assistance and grants for other essential disaster-related needs, including medical, dental and funeral expenses and lost or damaged personal possessions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $50.7 million in federal disaster loans to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations that sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding.

FEMA grants to homeowners and renters may include emergency rental assistance and necessary repairs to owner-occupied homes.

Homeowners, renters and business owners should not wait to settle with their insurance companies before applying to SBA for a low-interest disaster loan.  Colorado flood survivors should return their completed applications, even if they have not settled with their insurance company.

Individuals and business owners who sustained property damage are encouraged to first register with FEMA prior to the Nov. 14 deadline.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online: DisasterAssistance.gov. Register by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

For more SBA disaster assistance information, call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339) or go to www.sba.gov/disaster

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Federal Disaster Aid for Individuals and Businesses Tops $100 Million

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