May 24, 2008
Posted in:Hurricane Center, Disaster Planning, New Post — jeromeba @ 12:43 am
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Hurricane season officially starts June 1, and lasts through November 30.
If you live along the coast, keep your gas tank full and ensure you have an family plan and evacuation route maps.
For information on storm forecasts visit the Hurricane Center Page.
Current Watches, Warnings, and local Radar for your area.
TROPICAL STORM BARRY FORMS IN GULF OF MEXICO ON FIRST DAY OF HURRICANE SEASON
November 27, 2007
April 1, 2007
Posted in:New Post — jeromeba @ 12:36 pm
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FEMA: Press Releases and
Federal Disaster Declarations
Tuesday 09th of February 2010
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FEMA Associate Administrator Bill Carwile Highlights Role Of Urban Search And Rescue Task Forces In Congressional Hearing On Emergency Management
WASHINGTON, DC ? Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery Bill Carwile highlighted the role of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) task forces as part of the nation?s emergency management team during testimony today before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Carwile thanked the teams for their efforts responding to domestic disasters as well as their recent deployment by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support efforts in Haiti. [more]
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Business Disaster Preparedness Plan Important
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — One-fourth of all businesses that close because of a disaster never reopen, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. But businesses that have a disaster preparedness plan - and implement it - typically have less damage, loss and downtime than those that do not. [more]
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President Declares Major Disaster For North Carolina
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of North Carolina. The assistance will supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms and flooding during the period of December 18-25, 2009. [more]
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Federal Aid Programs For North Carolina Disaster Recovery
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama?s major disaster declaration issued for North Carolina. [more]
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FEMA Teams to Conduct Door-To-Door Campaign
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — National flood insurance experts with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), will be reaching out to residents who sustained damage from the November Nor'easter / the remnants of Tropical Depression Ida. A door-to-door campaign to inform residents about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will occur Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in one of Norfolk's hardest hit areas. [more]
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When History Is Lost
DES MOINES, Iowa — The two Queen Ann style houses on Third Street, built in the 1890s, were determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. They were also directly in the path of the EF-5 tornado that destroyed almost half of Parkersburg, Iowa on May 25, 2008. [more]
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FEMA Publishes New Flood Risk Maps For Poinsett County, Ark.
DENTON, TEXAS — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security?s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is presenting preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to communities and unincorporated areas in Poinsett County, Ark. The FIRMs will help county officials and local residents identify known flood risks and will be used for insurance and development decisions. [more]
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FEMA Publishes New Flood Risk Maps for Dawson County, Texas
DENTON, TEXAS — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security?s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is presenting preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to communities and unincorporated areas in Dawson County, Texas. The FIRMs will help county officials and local residents identify known flood risks and will be used for insurance and development decisions. [more]
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President Declares Emergency For Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Craig Fugate today announced that federal aid has been made available to the State of Oklahoma to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm beginning on January 28, 2010 and continuing. [more]
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FEMA Encourages West Virginians To Take Precautions As Storm Approaches
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — For the second time in as many months, West Virginia is preparing for a major winter storm that could drop significant amounts of snowfall across sections of the central and eastern mountain counties of the state. [more]
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Ike Survivors: Suspect Fraud And Abuse? Report It!
TEXAS CITY, Texas ? From the start of a disaster recovery operation through the end, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) take the issue of fraud and abuse very seriously and continue to urge Texans to report any suspicious activities. [more]
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FEMA Encourages Commonwealth To Take Precautions As Storm Approaches
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — For the second time in as many months, Virginia is preparing for a major winter storm that could drop up to 10 inches or more of snow across the southern portion of the state. [more]
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FEMA Administrator Fugate Addresses Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium
REDMOND, Wash. — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate addressed the 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium today at the company?s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Fugate stressed the vital role that the private sector and most important the general public play in the preparedness of our nation?s emergency response team. [more]
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President Obama Recognizes Haiti Rescue Teams in State of the Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night as he delivered his first State of the Union address, President Barack Obama recognized the work of those Americans helping with the response and rescue efforts in Haiti. As the President spoke, Rebecca Knerr of Chantilly, Virginia, the wife of one of the Task Force Leaders deployed to the country, watched as an invited guest of the First Lady. [more]
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Repairing and Rebuilding Stronger Makes Sense
SHREVEPORT, La. — For state, parish and local governments recovering from the late October and early November Louisiana floods, repairing public buildings, damaged roads, and infrastructure by reducing or mitigating the impact of future flood events makes sense. [more]
March 22, 2007
Posted in:Getting Help, About FEMA, New Post — jeromeba @ 10:41 am
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — According to officials with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the best source for information following a disaster is federal, state and voluntary agencies. Here are answers to some frequent questions:
Q: Does FEMA charge a fee for a home inspection?
A: No. FEMA never charges for an inspection.
Q: I have applied for disaster assistance before. Do I need to apply again?
A: Yes. Even if you applied for assistance for a previous disaster, you must apply again for this disaster.
Q: Will FEMA assistance affect my Social Security check?
A. No. Any aid you receive from FEMA will not affect your Social Security benefits, your state or federal retirement benefits, or your welfare status.
Q: If I got help from the American Red Cross, can I also get help from FEMA or the State?
A: Yes. FEMA and the State coordinate a number of programs to help disaster victims. These programs differ from the emergency food, clothing and shelter provided by the American Red Cross and other voluntary agencies.
Q: When I get help from the American Red Cross, am I automatically registered with FEMA?
A: No. Registering with the American Red Cross or any voluntary agency is not the same as registering with FEMA. If you are a homeowner, renter or business owner who has losses from the recent tornadoes, call the FEMA registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments should call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday. You can also register online at www.fema.gov.
Q: Is there enough money for everyone? My neighbor needs the money more than I do.
A: Yes. There are enough disaster funds to take care of every eligible applicant.
Q: Do I have to be poor to qualify for disaster aid?
A: No. Federal disaster aid programs may be available to those who suffered damage, regardless of income.
Q: Do I have to own a business to apply for a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration?
A: No. The SBA is the primary source of financial assistance following a disaster and provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, business, and non-profits.
Q: Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
A: No. The SBA has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility.
Q: If I rent an apartment, can I get help to replace my damaged personal property?
A: Yes. A renter may qualify for a FEMA grant or a SBA low-interest disaster loan to replace eligible personal property.
Q: Will FEMA pay for all home repairs or contract work?
A: No. FEMA provides grants to qualified homeowners to repair damage not covered by insurance but the grants may not pay for all the damage. Qualified borrowers who lack sufficient homeowner’s insurance may use an SBA loan to return their homes to pre-disaster condition.
Q: Do I have to repay money I receive for disaster relief?
A: You do not have to repay grant money but you must repay SBA loans.
Q: Are disaster relief payments taxable?
A: No. Qualified disaster relief payments are not taxable.
Individuals with questions about recovery assistance should call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, or visit www.fema.gov or the Alabama Emergency Management Agency Web site at ema.alabama.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
October 14, 2006
Posted in:Travel Trailers, Safety — jeromeba @ 5:42 pm
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With cold weather approaching, federal officials advise Hurricane Katrina survivors residing in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) travel trailers to take precautions with fire safety.
Fire safety is in the news for other reasons as well. October is Fire Prevention Month in Mississippi, where some 35,000 FEMA travel trailers are currently located, and National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 8-14.
FEMA urges anyone in a travel trailer to use only the built-in heater. Occupants should not use kerosene heaters, kitchen stoves or ovens, or electric space heaters.
“These trailers are equipped with heaters that are safe when used by occupants as instructed when we turn the trailer over to them,” said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi recovery. “Using unapproved devices for heat could lead to serious accident or injury.”
“Residents need to practice safety at all times,” Russo added. “Even those who’ve used these heaters before should re-familiarize themselves with how to use them safely.”
Most of the travel trailers are equipped with propane heaters, which automatically vent to the outdoors. However, using the oven or stove for heat may deplete oxygen in the trailer, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that causes dizziness, headaches and possibly death. Residents should make sure the carbon monoxide detector is working correctly and that heater vents on the outside of the trailer are not blocked or covered. All FEMA travel trailers that have propane heaters also have carbon monoxide detectors.
Fire Program Specialist Kathy Gerstner of the U.S. Fire Administration, a sister agency of FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, offers several fire prevention tips for residents of travel trailers:
- If it doesn’t seem safe, don’t do it;
- Shut off all appliances before leaving home;
- Know where the propane shutoff valve is located and how to shut it off;
- Keep flammable materials away from the stove top;
- Know where the fire extinguisher is in the unit and learn how to use it;
- Learn how to use the emergency window opening devices in the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline or other flammable liquids in or under the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline-powered vehicles or equipment in the trailer;
- Never smoke in bed.
Finally, firefighters at every level stress the importance of having a working smoke detector. Batteries should be replaced twice a year, and officials suggest doing so when changing between daylight and standard time.
“We want everyone to be comfortable and safe this winter,” said Russo. “If those in a travel trailer or mobile home feel their health or safety is in danger at any time, they should leave immediately and contact local emergency officials.”
For maintenance or repairs, trailer residents may call the Maintenance/Applicant Support Center at 1-866-877-6075. The center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.