FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Fight White River Fire in Oregon

Bothell, Wash. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the White River Fire burning in Wasco County, approximately 90 miles east of Portland, Oregon.

FEMA Region 10 Deputy Administrator Vincent Maykovich determined that the fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. He approved the state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 10:48 p.m. PDT on Thursday.

The fire started on Monday, August 17, and has so far burned 3,000 acres of private, state, and federal land. 300 homes in and around the communities of Pine Grove, Sportsman’s Paradise, and Maupin are at risk, as well as Bonneville Power Administration power lines, Wasco electric high transmission lines, Pine Grove water supply, and a high cultural resource area. A level 3 evacuation notice has been issued for approximately 550 people in the affected communities. At the time of the state’s request, the White River Fire was 10 percent contained, with an additional 9 fires burning in Oregon. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations have been issued for approximately 415 homes.

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

In addition to reimbursement funding for fighting the fire, $629,681 in mitigation assistance will be available to Oregon. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.

FEMA encourages HMGP Post-Fire funds be used for the mitigation of wildfire and related hazards, such as flood or erosion. However, HMGP is available for risk reduction of any hazard.

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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

david.yost Fri, 08/28/2020 - 16:22

Hurricane Laura Update

The storm’s impact stretches from the coastal areas to further inland communities that are experiencing heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

Laura is now a tropical depression but continues to have impact. Arkansas had heavy rain overnight, and we will see rain move into the mid-Mississippi Valley today and the mid-Atlantic states Saturday, which could lead to some river flooding. There is a risk of flash flooding across portions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas through Friday evening. Today’s forecast also indicates the risk of tornadoes could redevelop later this afternoon into the evening across parts of the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley regions.

Even with the storm weakening, we still ask everyone to stay focused on safety and encourage to practice the following:

• Residents impacted by Laura should continue to follow guidance from officials in their area.
• If you have been evacuated, do not return until local officials indicate it is safe to do so.
• If you have been ordered to shelter in place, please do so until advised it is safe.
• Don’t drive or walk through flood waters. Be aware of downed power lines, standing water, and other hidden hazards.
• Stay off roads so that emergency workers are able to get through.
• Use extreme caution when operating heavy machinery, generators, or removing debris. Do not use generators indoors.
• Response is a whole community effort; if it’s safe to do so, check on your neighbors. You may be the help they need right now.

Initial impact assessments and search and rescue operations are continuing along the Gulf Coast, FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance representatives are on the ground, coordinating with state and local partners as well as FEMA’s Public Assistance experts are coordinating with the U.S. Corps of Engineers on debris removal and roofing repair estimates.

Federal personnel and supplies were pre-positioned before the storm hit and we continue to move resources into the area to meet requests from state and local authorities. FEMA has nearly 750 personnel deployed to support the response and recovery, including eight Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) deployed to Louisiana and Texas, and four Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams have deployed to Louisiana.

Over 16,000 utility personnel from at least 26 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada have been mobilized to support restoration efforts. FEMA has 113 generators staged in Louisiana and Texas if requested, and another 314 generators available in our distribution centers if needed ready to deploy to the impacted area.

Visit www.ready.gov and download the FEMA app for tips before, during and after a storm and to receive weather updates.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 08/28/2020 - 10:53

Tell Your Friends and Neighbors to Register With FEMA, Deadline is September 8

SALT LAKE CITY – Federal disaster assistance is available for Utahns impacted by the Magna Earthquake and aftershocks between March 18 and April 17.

If any of your friends or neighbors have damage caused by the quake, encourage them to register with FEMA. Letting everyone know is one way you can help your community recover.

Rather than visiting in person during this time of pandemic it's best to call, email, or text your neighbor to explain why it's important to apply for disaster assistance.

Let them know that registration is easy (takes about 30 minutes) and there are several ways to apply: online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages. The deadline to register for Utah quake assistance is September 8, 2020.

FEMA and the state of Utah offer publications on rebuilding, retrofitting and other earthquake preparedness actions. To learn about these, and for other tips or to ask questions about mitigation, email FEMA-R8-HMhelp@fema.dhs.gov.

If you require a reasonable accommodation or an alternative format of available information such as American Sign Language format, or audio format, please submit your request to: Region8AccommodationRequest@fema.dhs.gov.

For more information on Utah’s recovery from the Magna Quake, visit, www.fema.gov/disaster/4548, or https://earthquakes.utah.gov/magna-quake/. 

Brian.Hvinden Fri, 08/28/2020 - 10:41

Flood Insurance Policy Just Expired? Call Your Agent

DENTON, Texas –– If you have a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance policy that just expired, you may still be able to renew in full and then file a claim for losses due to Hurricane Laura or the next event with flooding potential. August is just the beginning of peak hurricane season, and preparing for peak hurricane season means having flood insurance. Call your insurance agent or company, or the NFIP Call Center at 1-800-427-4661 to determine if your policy is still within a renewal grace period.

NFIP policies typically have a 30-day grace period. The renewal premium must be paid, and policy must be renewed, before a claim can be made. Claims for losses that occurred during the grace period will be honored, provided the full renewal premium is received by the end of the grace period. Because budgets have been stretched thin due to COVID-19, FEMA extended the grace period from 30 days to 120 days for policies that have an expiration date between February 13, 2020, and June 15, 2020. For these policies, the renewal premium must be received within 120 days of the policy expiration date to avoid a lapse in coverage. Click here to read the March 28, 2020, grace period extension bulletin and don’t delay in renewing your policy if possible.

For example, for a policy that expired on May 9, 2020, the NFIP insurer must receive the renewal premium payment on or before September 5, 2020, to avoid a lapse and be eligible for claims.  For a policy that expired on June 15, the last day of the grace period extension window, the NFIP insurer must receive the renewal premium payment on or before October 12, 2020, to avoid a lapse in coverage, and still be eligible for claims. 

Purchasing flood insurance is one of the most important steps residents can take to protect the lives they’ve built. Just one inch of water in a home can cause more than $25,000 in damage. Most homeowner’s and renter’s policies do not cover flood damage. Call your insurance agent and get quotes for different levels of flood insurance coverage. To find a provider, call 1-800-427-4661 or visit www.floodsmart.gov. Don’t delay, new policies typically take up to 30 days to go into effect.

Carmen.Castro Fri, 08/28/2020 - 10:29

FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for West Virginia

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved West Virginia for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow West Virginia to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice to implement a system to make this funding available to West Virginia residents.

On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the state of West Virginia agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans.

gloria.huang Thu, 08/27/2020 - 21:17

The Next Step After Applying For Disaster Assistance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. –  If you have uninsured or underinsured losses from the recent California wildfires and have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the next step is the home inspection.

All inspections will be conducted by phone due to COVID-19 and the need to protect the safety and health of our workforce and survivors. Remote inspections are comparable to traditional, in-person inspections and can expedite recovery assistance, based on eligibility.

For security purposes, the inspector will verify your identity by asking a series of qualifying questions and then provide you with the first four digits of your application to complete the verification.

Expect calls from inspection teams to come from a variety of area codes. Check missed calls and voicemails frequently to ensure the inspection is arranged and completed.

Survivors with minimal damage who can live in their homes will not automatically be scheduled for a home inspection when applying for FEMA assistance. Instead, they will receive a letter from FEMA explaining that they may call the FEMA Helpline to request an inspection if they find significant disaster-caused damage to their home after they applied.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during, and after disasters.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. TTY users may also call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit SBA at SBA.gov/disaster.

robert.barker Thu, 08/27/2020 - 17:57

Hurricane Laura Federal Response Update

WASHINGTON -- Hurricane Laura made landfall as a major hurricane early this morning in Cameron, Louisiana. The storm brought life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding to large areas along the Gulf Coast. The storm will move inland and affect much of the lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys within 48 - 72 hours. FEMA is leaning forward with our federal, state, local, tribal and territorial partners to mobilize teams and supplies to support a state managed, locally executed response to impacts from Hurricane Laura. FEMA and its federal partners remain fully postured to support potentially impacted states and meet state-identified requirements.

The storm remains a threat to those in its forecasted path.  Individuals should continue to monitor their local news for updates and directions provided by their local officials and heed local evacuation orders.  If you have been evacuated, do not return until local officials tell you it is safe to do so. 

• Texas residents should visit gov.texas.gov/hurricane for information on evacuation orders, reception center locations, and other emergency resources. For answers to additional questions, call 2-1-1. Louisiana residents should call 2-1-1 for evacuation, sheltering and resources for immediate needs.
• Stay off the roads. Emergency workers may be assisting people in flooded areas or cleaning up debris. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way. Do not return home until local officials say it is safe.
• If it is safe to do so, check on your neighbors. You may be the help they need right now.
• Don’t drive or walk through flood waters. Flood water can contain dangerous debris, downed power lines, and other risks. Do not attempt to walk, swim, wade or drive through flood waters.

President Trump amended the  emergency declarations for Louisiana and Texas, expanding the declarations to cover emergency protective response actions taken by state, local and tribal officials. The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures. FEMA received a request for a disaster declaration from Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday night. The Governor is specifically requesting emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program statewide. The request is under review.

FEMA has mobilized federal response teams to support Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas response efforts to the Hurricane.

• Regional Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) are in place in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas state operations centers. National IMATs are also deployed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Denton, Texas. Additionally, several members of the national IMAT are deployed to Louisiana and Texas operation centers to coordinate with the regional IMAT in the state. An additional fully missional capable IMAT is ready to deploy, if needed.
• Impact assessments began this morning along the Gulf Coast.
• Four Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Teams have deployed to Texas and Louisiana. A FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Incident Support Team in n Louisiana to coordinate with the state. Six additional water rescue capable US&R Teams are en route to Louisiana and two additional teams en route to Texas. Additional teams, including up to three Quick Response Teams, are on alert to deploy if necessary.
• FEMA deployed staging management teams to Camp Beauregard Louisiana and Roseland, Louisiana. A National Incident Support Base Team Delta is in Selma, Alabama to support staging commodity missions.
• Mobile disaster communications equipment is prepositioned in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Austin, Texas to support staging and command and control operations. Additional equipment and personnel have been deployed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Fort Worth, Texas.

FEMA pre-positioned commodities such as meals and water ahead of Hurricane Laura.

• More than 500,000 meals and 800,000 liters of water are prepositioned at the Roseland Staging Area and Camp Beauregard in Louisiana. Blue Roof Sheeting, Infant Toddler Kits and generators are also pre-positioned at Camp Beauregard. Additionally, FEMA placed more than 3 million meals and 970,000 liters of water on standby at its distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas.
• Further commodities including meals, water, Infant and Toddler Kits and generators have been requested by Region 6.

FEMA and its federal partners are moving assets and teams into areas impacted by Hurricane Laura.

• Temporary Roofing planning and response teams are in Louisiana and Texas.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Temporary Emergency Power Teams, an Advanced Contract Initiative contractor, 249th Prime Power Battalion personnel and debris subject matter experts are in Texas and Louisiana.
• USACE is providing flood fight support with technical assistance to the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West using the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System. Additionally, USACE is implementing response plans for dam safety teams, deploying a sand bagging machine and operators to Hancock County, Mississippi and issuing sandbags and sandbagging machines for areas in Louisiana and Texas.
• U.S. Coast Guard pre-positioned assets including rotary and fixed wing aircrafts, shallow watercrafts and supporting units in Alabama and Louisiana.
• Additional personnel from across the federal government, including the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation, Health and Human Services and the Department of Energy deployed and available to provide support.

zella.campbell Thu, 08/27/2020 - 15:52

Manufactured Homes in Earthquakes – How to Protect Your Home & Family

SALT LAKE CITY – Manufactured homes are especially at risk from earthquakes and their aftershocks.

Many manufactured homes rest on slender supports that can collapse or buckle during earthquakes, causing injuries to the occupants and damage to the structure, contents, water heater and utilities. 

Collapse can make doors and other exits unsafe while fractured gas lines can ignite fires. Fires spread faster between closely spaced dwellings, and the narrow roads found in many mobile-home parks make it harder for emergency services to respond.

Previous earthquakes have shown that manufactured homes can be destroyed or badly damaged by broken utility connections (particularly natural gas) even in cases when the overall structure receives only minor damage.

To reduce the likelihood of collapse, consider retrofitting your manufactured home with an engineered tie-down system or reinforced concrete or masonry foundation. To reduce or prevent fire, brace water heaters and install flexible gas connections and automatic shutoff valves. 

Before starting major retrofit work, manufactured homeowners are strongly advised to contact their local city or county building department to see if special permits are required.

Meanwhile, you can browse a list of Utah-based licensed contractors, engineers and architects at https://secure.utah.gov/datarequest/professionals/index.html or check their licenses at https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html.

FEMA and the state of Utah have several publications explaining rebuilding and retrofitting options and other earthquake preparedness actions. To learn about these and for other tips or to ask questions about mitigation, email FEMA-R8-HMhelp@fema.dhs.gov.

Utah residents impacted by the March 18 quake and aftershocks who have not registered with FEMA can still apply for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages.

If you require a reasonable accommodation or an alternative format of available information such as American Sign Language format, or audio format, please submit your request to: Region8AccommodationRequest@fema.dhs.gov.

For more information on Utah’s recovery from the Magna Quake, visit, www.fema.gov/disaster/4548, or https://earthquakes.utah.gov/magna-quake/. 

Brian.Hvinden Thu, 08/27/2020 - 13:50

President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for Arkansas

WASHINGTON – FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Arkansas to supplement state and local response efforts to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Laura beginning Aug. 26, 2020, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. This federal assistance is for all counties in Arkansas.

Roland W. Jackson has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.

luther.wills-dudich Thu, 08/27/2020 - 13:15

FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Ohio

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Ohio for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Ohio to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to implement a system to make this funding available to Ohio residents.

On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the state of Ohio agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans

zella.campbell Wed, 08/26/2020 - 21:33

FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Virginia

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Virginia for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Virginia to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to implement a system to make this funding available to Virginia residents.

On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the state of Virginia agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans.

zella.campbell Wed, 08/26/2020 - 21:17

FEMA approves nearly $5 million for Hurricane Michael recovery expenses

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — FEMA has approved three projects totaling nearly $5 million for the State of Florida to reimburse Mexico Beach and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for eligible costs of recovery work following Hurricane Michael.

Mexico Beach is receiving $1,775,746 reimbursement for repairs to the bridge at the Salt Creek Crossing, which provides access to the city marina, and strengthening the structure to reduce damage from future storms.

FDOT is receiving $3,209,872 for debris cleanup activities in Holmes and Washington counties. Work completed includes collection and disposal of 114,206 cubic yards of vegetative debris, 144 stumps, 2,643 hanging limbs and 50 hazardous leaning trees that posed a threat to public health and safety.

These grants are funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects after final approval.

Once a project is obligated by FEMA, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has implemented new procedures designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 08/26/2020 - 15:57

FEMA Awards Orange County $8.67 Million for Hurricane Irma Debris Removal

ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA has approved a grant of $8,675,991 for the State of Florida to help Orange County defray the cost of removing debris after Hurricane Irma.

FEMA Public Assistance funds will reimburse the county for the cost of removing more than 1 million cubic yards of debris from public roads, property and rights-of-way from Oct. 18 to Dec. 16, 2017.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations, including some houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The Florida Division of Emergency Management works with FEMA during all phases of the program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

The federal share for Public Assistance projects is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost. The state determines how the nonfederal share of the cost of a project (up to 25 percent) is split with subrecipients like local and county governments.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 08/26/2020 - 15:52

FEMA Awards Department of Juvenile Justice $2.22 Million for Dormitory Damaged by Hurricane Irma

ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA has approved a grant of $2,222,445 for the State of Florida to help the Department of Juvenile Justice repair a dormitory damaged by Hurricane Irma.

FEMA Public Assistance funds will reimburse the department for repairing Dormitory A at the Hastings facility, which provides treatment for teens with mental health or substance abuse disorders. The project included mitigation measures to protect the structure from damage in future storms.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations, including some houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The Florida Division of Emergency Management works with FEMA during all phases of the program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

The federal share for Public Assistance projects is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost. The state determines how the nonfederal share of the cost of a project (up to 25 percent) is split with the subrecipients like local and county governments.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 08/26/2020 - 15:34

Proposed Flood Maps for Golden Valley County Reflect Changes to Local Flood Risk, Insurance Rates - 90-Day Period for Filing Appeals and Comments Begins September 3, 2020

DENVER - Flood insurance rate map changes for the Musselshell River through Golden Valley County are nearing completion. The new maps will provide more accurate flood risk information that can help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance.

The mapping project was initiated several years ago by counties along the Musselshell River and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). It is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks.

“Some sections of the Musselshell River have old floodplain maps that were produced over 30 years ago, while some sections had no maps at all to identify flood risk areas” explained Tiffany Lyden, DNRC Floodplain Outreach Specialist. ”Updating and developing new, accurate floodplain maps is a key step in providing accurate information to help keep families, homes, businesses, and infrastructure safe from future flood events.”

New flood insurance rate maps for the Musselshell River through Musselshell, Rosebud, and Petroleum Counties have been in effect since November 2019.  Before new flood insurance rate maps can become effective in Golden Valley County, there is a 90-day Appeal Period during which local residents and business owners can provide additional data for consideration before the maps are final. This appeal period for Golden Valley County starts on September 3, 2020 and ends December 2, 2020.

Golden Valley County officials encourage residents and business owners to review the proposed flood insurance rate maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements, and any concerns or questions about the information provided. The proposed maps can be viewed online at www.floodplain.mt.gov/musselshell and at the county and town offices. 

If you have technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, you may be able to appeal the flood risk information on the proposed maps during the 90-day Appeal Period. For further details on this process, visit www.floodplain.mt.gov/musselshell or contact Page Dringman, Golden Valley County Floodplain Administrator at 406-932-5470 or Tiffany Lyden, DNRC Floodplain Outreach Specialist at 406-444-0599.

Brian.Hvinden Wed, 08/26/2020 - 15:31

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Griffin Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Arizona in combating the Griffin Fire burning in Gila County.

On Aug. 25, 2020, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Griffin Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 250 homes in and around Globe, AZ, with mandatory evacuations in place for 100 people. The fire also threatened Globe State Prison, Gila County Fairgrounds, Globe Airport, Apache Gold Casino, a middle school, railways, water production facilities for the towns of Globe and Miami, and a watershed.

The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 25, 2020, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

robert.barker Wed, 08/26/2020 - 10:19

FEMA Invests $2.6 Million to Strengthen Puerto Rico’s Agriculture Industry

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico's agricultural industry is preparing to receive over $2.6 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience of Puerto Rico, or COR3. This investment will lead to the recovery of this sector, which suffered multi-million-dollar losses due to the impact of Hurricane María.

This infusion of funds will provide an economic boost to the industry after the loss of 40 percent of the country's agricultural infrastructure.

“Agriculture has a strong connection with the culture on the Island and with the people who for generations have worked the land with their own hands. There is a lot of history in these crops and we will continue to do our part to strengthen this sector that is worthy of admiration,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alex Amparo.

Among the obligations is $1.4 million to repair the facilities of the Coffee Trade Program for the Administration for the Development of Agricultural Businesses of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, located at the Yahuecas neighborhood in Adjuntas. This is the only place on the Island where local and imported coffee is stored for processing and it also employs 13 people. According to agronomist Jorge Quiles Maldonado, director of the program, its economic impact is incalculable, since it encompasses multiple industries that revolve around the product, its packaging, distribution and sale. Also, the facilities have a laboratory where farmers can measure the quality of their coffee.

Another obligation of around $582,000 for the Department of Agriculture is destined for repairs to the Mercadeo Warehouse and Limestone Quarry located in the Hato Viejo neighborhood in Ciales. There, lime is processed to correct the acidity levels in very acidic soils in order to improve crop yields, a key process for coffee, citrus, plantain and banana plantations in the mountainous area.

For his part, the Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, agronomist Carlos A. Flores Ortega said he was pleased with the approval of these federal funds. “Today, we can take a step forward in the recovery of the agricultural sector. These allocations represent an aid to infrastructure improvements and, without a doubt, to improve services in favor of our thousands of farmers,” added Flores Ortega.

Similarly, $108,000 were obligated for the Corporación de Conservación Etnoecológica Criolla, Inc., an ethnoecological conservation corporation, in Caguas, to replace equipment in its museum such as tools and vehicles. This nonprofit manages the facilities of the municipality’s Botanical and Cultural Garden, promotes eco-tourism projects and oversees research and development of agricultural technology to be transferred to community agro-ecological businesses.

The municipality of Maricao will also carry out repairs to its warehouse located in the Indiera Baja neighborhood, with an obligation of nearly $61,000. Part of these funds will be used to reinforce the roof, windows and doors to withstand winds of up to 170 miles per hour. This warehouse provides assistance to farmers in Maricao and neighboring farms that harvest coffee, plantains, bananas and oranges, among other crops, and also develops various programs of its Department of Agriculture.

On the other hand, $55,000 was granted to La Enseñat Farm, in the Bucarabones neighborhood of Las Marías for repairs to the roof of its storage area. This farm has an extensive plantation of about 500,000 small coffee bushes and roughly 30,000 small citrus trees. This farm employs about 25 people and operates under a private investment and collaborative agreement with the Department of Agriculture, who owns the land. All crops that are produced are sold locally.

“Puerto Rico's recovery has a significant impact across all sectors. All areas have a fundamental role to play in building resilience for the future. Our efforts to secure obligations are ongoing so that subrecipient projects are completed and developed in ways that all residents deserve,” said the Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience (COR3), Ottmar Chavez.

To date, FEMA has obligated over $7.2 billion for costs related to hurricanes Irma and Maria, including projects to help rebuild infrastructure throughout Puerto Rico. Roughly 1,200 local staff are leading the efforts and play a key role in moving recovery forward. Despite unprecedented challenges, our resolve remains undeterred as we continue this banner year of recovery. The Agency is part of the transformation and the revival of the island, a process that is becoming more evident every day and that will benefit the island's residents and its future generations.

For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow us on our social networks at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and on Twitter @COR3pr.

frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 08/26/2020 - 07:32

FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Arkansas

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Arkansas for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Arkansas to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to implement a system to make this funding available to Arkansas residents.

On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the state of Arkansas agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans.

zella.campbell Tue, 08/25/2020 - 20:47

President Donald J. Trump Amends Emergency Declarations for Louisiana and Texas

WASHINGTON -- Today, President Donald J. Trump amended the emergency declarations for Louisiana and Texas. The President’s action expands the declarations to cover emergency protective response actions that state, local and tribal officials take in the areas affected by Hurricanes Laura and Marco beginning Aug. 22, 2020 and continuing.

In Louisiana, Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe  Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes, are eligible for reimbursement for eligible emergency protective measures (Category B). These parishes were previously limited to direct federal assistance, and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support.

In Texas, Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Willacy counties are also now eligible for reimbursement for eligible emergency protective measures (Category B). These counties were previously limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support.

The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. 

zella.campbell Tue, 08/25/2020 - 20:38

FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Maine

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Maine for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Maine to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Maine Gov. Janet Mills to implement a system to make this funding available to Maine residents.

On Aug. 8, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the state of Maine agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans.

zella.campbell Tue, 08/25/2020 - 20:16