You are here
Feed aggregator
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Montana
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Montana to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from June 10, 2022 and continuing.
The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and flooding in Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Maona N. Ngwira has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/16/2022 - 19:00Revised Preliminary Flood Maps for Craighead County, Arkansas Ready for Public View
DENTON, Texas – Revised Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in portions of the City of Jonesboro and unincorporated areas of Craighead County, Arkansas.
Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.
For this Physical Map Revision, the FIRMs for Craighead County serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.
FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.
Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Carmen.Castro Thu, 06/16/2022 - 17:09Proposed Mineral County Flood Maps Reflect Changes to Local Flood Risk
DENVER – Updates to Mineral County, Montana’s flood insurance rate maps are nearing completion. The new maps will provide portions of the Clark Fork and St. Regis Rivers and several tributary streams in Mineral County with 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 in 2016 and is a joint effort between Mineral County, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), and FEMA. It is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risk and support actions to address and reduce that risk.
In Mineral County, the project involved flood study work on 58 miles of the Clark Fork River, 37 miles of the St. Regis River, and 71 miles of smaller tributaries to these rivers. New and updated flood insurance rate maps were produced, indicating areas at risk of flooding in a one-percent annual chance flood event. The new floodplain maps will be used to replace existing floodplain maps from 1996 and update Mineral County and communities to the countywide digital flood insurance rate map format.
Officials encourage residents and business owners to review the proposed maps to learn about the flood threat in their area, and potential future flood insurance purchase requirements.
Once preliminary maps are released, there is a 90-day appeal period during which community members can provide additional data for consideration before the maps are final. This appeal period ends on September 13, 2022. Appeal packages should address scientific or technical mistakes in the maps and must include supporting data or engineering documentation.
The proposed maps can be viewed online at www.floodplain.mt.gov/mineral and at the Mineral County Environmental Health and Planning Department.
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/mineral or contact Andy Short, Mineral County Floodplain Administrator at 406-822-3525, or Nadene Wadsworth, DNRC Floodplain Outreach Specialist at 406-444-6732.
jamie.casterton Wed, 06/15/2022 - 22:16FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Pipeline Fire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Arizona in combatting the Pipeline Fire burning in Coconino County.
On June 12, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,100 homes in and around Doney Park, Timberline and Black Bill Park. The fire also threatened schools, fire stations, post offices, cultural sites, cell towers and electrical transmission lines in the area.
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 become a greater incident.
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.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.
robert.barker Mon, 06/13/2022 - 14:22Nearly $600 Million in FEMA Funding Injection to Rebuild Power Grid
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –─ The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved nearly $600 million for the purchase of materials and equipment needed to rebuild Puerto Rico's power grid. The federal share will allow for the advance purchase of materials, so that resources will be available once the reconstruction work begins.
Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero, explained that the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) has already submitted to the agency an initial list of materials and equipment that are currently in short supply, that usually have a long-lead time or that could be impacted by future events.
“This is an extensive requirement which includes the areas of transmission and distribution, substations and telecommunications. The goal is to have the materials in time for the work to begin. We are very excited to see how the work is beginning to take shape,” said the official.
Among the materials included in this project are about 2,500 circuit miles of transmission lines, roughly 23 miles of submarine cable for the municipalities of Vieques and Culebra, over 300 substations, nearly 200,000 transformers and nearly 13,400 miles of feeders, among other necessary equipment.
Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), said, "This obligation is the result of the active and proactive work we have executed together with PREPA, FEMA and the close collaboration with LUMA. I reiterate that the reconstruction of the electrical grid has already begun and the purchase of the equipment under this significant obligation will allow for the streamlined development of other projects. Currently, we have disbursed $1.6 billion in emergency categories and $7.1 million for permanent works. As the projects move forward in their development, and PREPA or LUMA submit their requests for reimbursement, we will promptly address them so that the money disbursed will continue to further the reconstruction of other infrastructure in the electric system.
FEMA has approved over $12.8 billion to PREPA for permanent and emergency work to address damages from Hurricane Maria and the 2020 Earthquakes. Of this total, $9.4 billion was awarded through FEMA's Accelerated Awards Strategy (FAAST).
For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, please visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow our social media pages at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 06/13/2022 - 12:39President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends New Mexico Disaster Declaration
SANTA FE, NM – Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of New Mexico by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures undertaken in the State of New Mexico as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on April 5, 2022, and continuing.
Under the President’s major disaster declaration issued for the State of New Mexico on May 4, 2022, Federal funding was made available for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance at 75 percent of the total eligible costs.
Under the President's order today, the Federal share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for the first 90 days of the incident period. Emergency Protective measures can provide funding for emergency work, including procuring equipment and supplies for responders, supporting evacuation requirements such as traffic control and sheltering residents, pre-positioning resources to support the response, and establishing field camps and meals for responders.
This additional support will help ensure that New Mexico has no financial limitations related to immediate lifesaving and life sustaining operations related to the ongoing wildfires.
For the latest information on the wildfires, visit fema.gov/disaster/4652. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
thomas.wise Sun, 06/12/2022 - 01:21FEMA, USFA Release Wildland Urban Interface Report
WASHINGTON -- FEMA’s U.S. Fire Administration released the “Wildland Urban Interface: A Look at Issues and Resolutions,” report earlier this week.
The report is meant to raise awareness and initiate collaborative efforts to facilitate change in wake of catastrophic wildfire losses in the wildland urban interface. This report highlights the wildland interface issues in the United States and will help the wildland and structural firefighting community and neighborhoods unite around key actions to reduce risk to themselves, to firefighters and the environment.
“Wildfires are no longer seasonal events -- fueled by climate change, they are destroying lives and property year-round, ” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Our communities have battled the nation’s most damaging wildfires in just the last few years, with wildfires accounting for 62% of the structures lost over the last 15 years. It is clear that we simply cannot shy away from the work required to mitigate future risk,” she said. “In addition to the mitigation grants that FEMA provides to state and local communities to bolster their climate resilience to wildfires, this Wildland Urban Interface report lays out a unified, strategic approach to risk reduction at the national, state, regional and local levels to achieve that critical objective.”
Wildfires are among the worst natural and man-made disasters facing our nation. Factors such as climate change and reduced land management practices are significantly contributing to the cause, increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
“While the resolutions to the challenges identified may seem daunting, they are achievable,” said U.S. Fire Administration Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell. “Together, we can take action to change the trajectory of the ever-increasing wildfire threat in America and create resilient landscapes for generations to come.”
Federal agencies are working with partners to address many of the wildland interface challenges discussed in this report. These efforts include:
- Increasing forest and rangeland resiliency through prescribed burning and mechanical thinning.
- Strengthening communication strategies and engagement operations through wildfire prevention and mitigation programs.
- Proactively planning for and mitigating the continued effects of climate change.
Other high-priority areas in the report are also focused on firefighter health and safety, especially mental and behavioral health, and public safety through improving evacuation procedures with efforts such as Reverse 911.
To help prepare yourself and your family for wildfires, visit Ready.gov/wildfires.
amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/09/2022 - 17:47FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Visits National Interagency Fire Center, Meets with NAC Members
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell traveled to Boise, Idaho this week, where she visited students at Boise State University, toured the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and met with members of the agency’s National Advisory Council.
On Tuesday, Criswell met with Boise State University’s Hazard and Climate Resiliency Institute students. The institute is a community of researchers, practitioners and students who are dedicated to improving society’s resilience to natural hazards and the impacts of a changing climate.
Later that day, Criswell, U.S. Fire Administration Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and FEMA Region 10 leadership were briefed on this summer’s fire outlook by NIFC officials. The center is comprised of eight different agencies and organizations that support wildland firefighting.
“Wildfires are no longer seasonal events -- fueled by climate change, they are destroying lives and property year-round,” Criswell said. “Our communities have battled the nation’s most damaging wildfires in just the last few years, with wildfires accounting for 62% of the structures lost over the last 15 years. It is clear that we simply cannot shy away from the work required to mitigate future risk.”
Criswell met with members of the National Advisory Council on Wednesday at Boise State University’s Stueckle Sky Center. There she discussed climate resiliency, FEMA assistance eligibility changes and workforce recruitment and engagement.
The council, established as part of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, is comprised of up to 35 members from throughout the nation who represent emergency management, government agencies, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations to advise the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management.
“I truly appreciate this amazing group of experts who are able to come together and make recommendations to me and our agency,” Criswell said. “We use the NAC to address the most pressing issues at FEMA and the emergency management community.”
Each year, the NAC presents a series of recommendations to the agency and the administrator. FEMA released the agency’s official response to these recommendation last week. For information on how to prepare you and your family for wildfires, visit Ready.gov/wildfires.
amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/09/2022 - 16:11Disaster Recovery Centers in Dorado and Toa Baja to Close permanently
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The remaining Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Dorado and Toa Baja will close permanently on Saturday, June. 11. Survivors who live in the designated municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja can continue to visit the temporary centers to complete late applications for disaster assistance or to get additional guidance until Saturday.
Temporary centers are located at:
Pabellón Comercial Rafael Hernández Colón
Calle Méndez Vigo #349
(in front of Residencial El Dorado), Dorado
Junta de Inscripción Permanente de Candelaria
RR-865
Barrio Candelaria, Toa Baja
Regular hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FEMA will continue to support survivors with several options to complete late applications or follow up and get additional guidance. Survivors can use the following options:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- By phone at 1-800-621-3362. Video relay service (and captioned telephone service or others is available if needed. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
- Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit Fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico,and at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Thu, 06/09/2022 - 12:11FEMA, NASA Release New Resource to Address Climate Change Crisis
Second Installment of ‘Building Alliances’ Series Addresses Tackling Some of the Nation’s Biggest Challenges
WASHINGTON -- Communities across the nation can refer to a new resource released by FEMA’s Resilient Nation Partnership Network (RNPN) and NASA, with support from many partners, to learn how they can address the climate crisis.
“Building Alliances for Climate Action” is a resource for the whole community, providing various perspectives, personal stories, insights and resources about climate change. The whole community includes individuals, businesses, faith-based and community organizations, nonprofits, schools, media and all levels of government.
This resource builds on the success of the Alliances for Climate Action Forum, co-hosted by the RNPN and NASA. The RNPN is a diverse network with representation from over 1,500 organizations united to help communities become more resilient to natural disasters and climate-related events.
The forum is one of the largest federally hosted climate events in recent years, with 37 speakers sharing their perspectives and paths to bolstering collective climate action. Over 3,250 viewers from more than 900 organizations joined this critical conversation. Watch the whole series here.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson highlighted the urgency of becoming a climate resilient nation, stating:
“To meet this moment, we need to invest in initiatives to break the cycles of disaster, damage and reconstruction,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Our actions now will directly impact the future. In the past, FEMA was criticized for insufficient action on climate change. This will not be our future.”
“NASA’s Earth observation and research supports the Biden-Harris administration’s climate agenda, which outlines putting the climate crisis at the center of our nation’s foreign policy and national security,” said NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson. “NASA is working hand-in-hand with FEMA to ensure communities across the U.S. and around the world have the resources they need to adapt in the face of extreme weather – which is increasing due to climate change.”
Building Alliances for Climate Action is the second resource of the “Building Alliances” series that the RNPN has co-developed. The first document, “Building Alliances for Equitable Resilience,” was the result of collaboration with NOAA and 26 partners in the fields of equity and resilience.
The RNPN, NASA and NOAA’s collaboration on the “Building Alliances” series demonstrates a commitment to a whole community approach toward addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. Whole community partnerships are critical in creating a more resilient nation for the present.
Learn more about how you or your organization can get involved by visiting fema.gov.
amy.ashbridge Wed, 06/08/2022 - 19:51
FEMA Provides $144M to Wisconsin Department of Administration
CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) announced today that $144,454,782 in federal funding has been made available to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for costs related to the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal disaster declaration of April 4, 2020.
This funding will reimburse Wisconsin Department of Administration for costs to provide diagnostic testing to reduce the threat of COVID-19 transmission statewide.
“FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an important resource supporting our nation’s pandemic response,” said Tom Sivak, regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “Testing has played a vital role in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and continues to be a key part of keeping our communities safe from this virus.”
“We are extremely grateful to FEMA and WEM for their continued partnership and support of Wisconsin’s COVID-19 testing efforts,” said Deb Standridge, Deputy Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “In coordination with our sister agency at the Wisconsin Department of Administration, testing for COVID-19 remains a critical tool for helping Wisconsinites to protect their health and make informed decisions when going out into the community.”
FEMA provides a 100 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for this project.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. To learn more, visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Wed, 06/08/2022 - 14:47Healing and Rebuilding Take Time After Tornadoes’ Rampage
MAYFIELD, Ky. – Evidence of clean-up and recovery is beginning to show in the heart of this tornado- stricken city. Downtown streets are mostly passable, the bricks and rubble from shattered buildings removed from some blocks. The site of the demolished candle factory that drew the sympathy of the nation is now a vacant lot.
Since the disaster six months ago, mountains of debris have been removed in Western Kentucky and many millions in federal and commonwealth dollars have been spent helping Kentucky’s survivors rebound. Shaken communities across the Bluegrass State are just beginning to regain their footing.
But the historic courthouse in Mayfield, its majestic clock tower snapped off the façade and its interior damaged beyond repair, is a visible reminder of the tornadoes’ deadly destruction and the challenges as survivors heal and towns rebuild.
The tornadoes hit with unexpected force the night of Dec. 10 and continued the next day, carving a path through nine states including Kentucky’s mostly rural towns like Mayfield and Dawson Springs and the city of Bowling Green. Eighty-one lives were lost in Western Kentucky, 24 of them in Graves County, where Mayfield is the county seat.
Mayfield city officials reported 257 structures destroyed, more than 1,000 others damaged.
Immediately after the tornadoes, local, commonwealth and federal disaster officials, nonprofits and volunteers began mobilizing. By daylight, Gov. Andy Beshear was touring Mayfield, Dawson Springs and other damaged areas.
“It was beyond anything I had ever seen, with whole communities nearly wiped off the map,” he said. “But I also witnessed acts of heroism, compassion and kindness that should make us all proud. The entire world saw how Kentuckians come together, how we open our hearts and our homes to our fellow citizens in their time of greatest need.”
By Dec. 11, advance teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency began arriving in response to the state’s request for federal help. The next day, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration unlocking federal assistance under multiple programs for residents and communities in the tornado- damaged counties.
To make sure survivors knew how to apply, FEMA launched a multi-pronged outreach. Disaster Survivor Assistance teams visited 11,000 homes between Dec. 14 and March 9, helping with applications and answering questions. Teams reached out to houses of worship and community groups, asking them to pass along disaster information. FEMA messaging was shared with elected officials and amplified by media outlets.
FEMA also set up disaster recovery centers across the affected counties where survivors could get updates about their applications and submit their documents. The federal agency was prepared for survivors with disabilities or language barriers, which was particularly important in Bowling Green, home to refugees and other immigrants speaking more than 100 languages. To communicate with them, FEMA offered language line interpretation, allowing non-English speaking survivors to get information in their native languages.
A FEMA-funded disaster case management grant was approved in April, allowing individuals and families to work with case managers to access a broad range of resources. Case managers will also work with non- English speakers who still need translation help to continue through the assistance process and receive eligible aid.
Housing was an early priority and remains a major challenge in Western Kentucky, a rural area already experiencing housing shortages. Nevertheless, disaster officials were able to find temporary shelter for displaced survivors before Christmas. Commonwealth officials led the effort, providing cabins in state parks and finding available hotel rooms. They purchased 200 travel trailers as a temporary solution. Even six months later, FEMA and the state continue to look for additional longer-term temporary housing.
In an effort to make more homes available to disaster survivors, FEMA’s housing officials agreed to increase the rental assistance rate to 125% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development fair market rent for eligible residents in Caldwell, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg and Warren counties. FEMA also began bringing in manufactured housing units for survivors who had no other options.
As of June 1, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have provided nearly $82 million in federal disaster assistance to Kentucky. That figure includes $15.5 million in housing assistance and other essential disaster-related needs, $58.4 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses, and $1.5 million to fund Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
Under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, communities get help with the cost of repair, rebuilding and emergency work including reimbursements for debris removal, damaged roads and infrastructure. For example, Marshall County was reimbursed $2.4 million for debris removal and Bowling Green was reimbursed $1.5 million for power restoration and repairs. As of June 1, the program has provided a total of $6.3 million in reimbursements, with more than 700 projects still under review.
FEMA also distributed information to help disaster-prone areas look ahead and strive for resilience. Hazard mitigation teams visited home improvement stores, where they offered tornado survivors advice and tips on how to reduce future disaster risks as they repair and rebuild their homes. Other mitigation teams visited schools, parks and resource fairs with a stormwater model designed to educate the public on the dangers of floodwater and ways to reduce flooding risks.
But help for Kentucky is not limited to restoring damaged buildings, clearing debris and learning about flood risk. Free crisis counseling has been available from the start to help survivors overcome feelings of depression, sadness or anxiety so common after a disaster. The counseling service will continue until January 2023.
Federal Coordinating Officer Brett Howard, who is leading the federal recovery operation, noted that FEMA is just one source of assistance. Disaster funding has also come from the state, local and other federal partners, non-profits, corporations and private donors. Insurance funds are flowing to individuals and communities for rebuilding.
The funding from all sources means that federal and state agencies must coordinate to ensure they are not paying double for the same work. Howard said these priorities are made easier by a strong partnership with state counterparts.
“The commonwealth has really stepped up and taken care of their citizens,” Howard said. “I’ve never seen anything like it: from funeral expenses, rebuilding … they are working hard every day.”
And FEMA staff are working right alongside them.
As Western Kentucky communities begin planning their rebuilding strategy, their residents are forming long-term recovery committees to help survivors still in need. Other committees, among them Mayfield Rebuilds, meet regularly to discuss their ideas for redevelopment. FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination team, in collaboration with federal partners including HUD, SBA, the Economic Development Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is helping to identify resources to support recovery.
The mountain of work ahead begins with a single pebble, with every Kentuckian playing a small part and everyone recognizing it will take time to realize the new vision.
“We will continue to work until we rebuild every structure and every life,” Beshear promised.
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Jeremy Slinker added, “Together, we are committed to meeting the needs of all people impacted by the storms as long as is necessary.”
Mayfield Mayor Kathy Stewart O’Nan can see her beloved city taking shape again, albeit in a new form. She points to a park restored with private donations, where 23 cherry trees were planted as a memorial to the city’s sons and daughters lost in the storm. It is a small step, but no less inspiring to residents who must plan for their future.
“It’s a healing process,” O’Nan said. “It’s devastating at first. Then you’re just trying to hold on. And then you think, ‘Let’s get back to normal.’ But when you accept it, that’s when you start moving forward.”
kiarash.ghiam Tue, 06/07/2022 - 20:13Preliminary Flood Maps for Lonoke County, Arkansas Ready for Public View
DENTON, Texas – Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in portions of the City of Cabot and unincorporated areas of Lonoke County, Arkansas.
Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.
For this Physical Map Revision, the FIRMs for Lonoke County serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.
FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.
Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Kurt.Pickering Tue, 06/07/2022 - 19:13Mapas de tasas del seguro de inundación preliminares están disponibles para que el público los revise en el condado de Lonoke County, Arkansas
DENTON, Texas –Mapas de tasas del seguro de inundación (FIRM, por sus siglas en inglés) preliminares están disponibles para su revisión de parte de los residentes y empresarios en todas las comunidades y las áreas no incorporadas de la parroquia de Lonoke County, Arkansas.
Se recomienda que los propietarios revisen los datos más actualizados para aprender sobre los riesgos locales de inundación y los posibles requisitos futuros del seguro de inundación. Las partes interesadas de la comunidad pueden identificar cualquier inquietud o pregunta sobre la información proporcionada y participar en los períodos de apelación y comentarios para los mapas.
Para esta Revisión del Mapa Físico, los FIRM del condado de Lonoke cumplen varios fines, tales como la definición de las Áreas Especiales de Riesgo de Inundación (SFHA, por sus siglas en inglés). Las SFHA son zonas con alto riesgo de inundaciones. Las comunidades y sus residentes pueden usar la información para tomar decisiones informadas sobre la construcción, el desarrollo, y el seguro de inundación.
FEMA recalca que las inundaciones también pueden ocurrir fuera de las zonas más vulnerables.
Visite al administrador de valles de inundación (FPA, por sus siglas en inglés) de su localidad para revisar los mapas preliminares de inundación. Un especialista de mapas de FEMA puede identificar a los FPA de cada comunidad. Los especialistas están disponibles por teléfono llamando al 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) o por correo electrónico a FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
También se puede ver los mapas preliminares por internet:
- El Visualizador de Cambios del Mapa de Inundación en http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- El Centro de Servicios de Mapas de FEMA en http://msc.fema.gov/portal
Para obtener más información sobre los mapas de inundación:
- Use el servicio de chat en vivo para los mapas de inundación en http://go.usa.gov/r6C (haga clic en el ícono de “Live Chat” [Chat en Vivo])
- Comuníquese con un Especialista de Mapas de FEMA por teléfono llamando al 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1- 877- 336- 2627) o por correo electrónico escribiendo a FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com
Hay opciones más económicas disponibles para los que recién se han incluido en una zona de alto riesgo de inundaciones en el mapa. Para aprender más sobre sus opciones de seguro de inundación, hable con su agente de seguros o visite https://www.floodsmart.gov/es/inicio.
Kurt.Pickering Tue, 06/07/2022 - 18:56
FEMA Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Wireless Emergency Alerts on Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
WASHINGTON -- FEMA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). WEA is a tool for authorized government agencies to reach the American public via cell phones during emergencies.
“In the past 10 years, FEMA has carried more than 70,000 messages from public safety authorities alerting people of threats posed by nearby extreme weather events, law enforcement incidents and many other hazards,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “In partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and your local public safety authorities, we are working to keep you safe and informed when seconds count.”
Alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.
In 2007, FEMA began modernizing the nation’s public alert and warning system by integrating new technologies into the existing alert systems. The new system, IPAWS, became operational in 2011. The first WEA was sent on June 28, 2012 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a flash flood warning in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area.
Today, IPAWS supports more than 1,700 federal, state, local, tribal and territorial users through a standardized message format. IPAWS enables public safety alerting authorities such as emergency managers, police and fire departments to send the same alert and warning message over multiple communication pathways at the same time to people in harm’s way, helping to save lives.
“Since the launch of Wireless Emergency Alerts a decade ago, the system has become an indispensable tool for public safety officials to warn and inform their communities,” said Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The FCC is now working to expand the use of this lifesaving service and increase confidence in its effectiveness through new measurements of WEA’s speed, accuracy and reliability, and first-ever WEA geotargeting testing in partnership with FEMA and state and local agencies.”
mayshaunt.gary Tue, 06/07/2022 - 15:27Reflecting on Hurricane Agnes 50 Years Later
PHILADELPHIA – Half a century ago, in late June 1972, one of the most devasting and historic hurricanes the United States had experienced formed in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Agnes made landfall as a Category 1 storm and caused significant and widespread damage throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Rainfall from Agnes caused catastrophic inland flooding, the geographic scale of which had not been seen in decades. Tragically, 128 people lost their lives across eight states, including 50 in Pennsylvania, 21 in Maryland, 14 in Virginia, and one in Delaware. Across the eastern United States, more than 362,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes due to the flooding, including 222,000 in Pennsylvania alone.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the significant storm and enter Atlantic hurricane season, we are encouraging everyone to learn more about their flood risk and take actions now to be prepared. Even decades later, the stories of Agnes still resonate and can help us be better prepared for the threats of the future. With climate change, extreme rainfall and flooding events are becoming more common, and lessons learned after storms like Agnes will be even more valuable.
"From the expansion of the National Flood Insurance Program, to the focus on mitigation as the cornerstone of community resiliency, to the initial discussion on a need for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, many sweeping changes came in response to those lessons learned from Hurricane Agnes,” said FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “Reflecting on Agnes, with a focus on the whole-of-community approach to our preparedness and mitigation strategies, will help us be more prepared for the future.”
To recognize this milestone, state-led interagency flood risk management teams, known as the Silver Jackets, of Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, have collaborated with local, state, and federal partners to participate in upcoming live anniversary events and to create an interactive and comprehensive 50th Anniversary of Hurricane Agnes: Learn from the Past and Prepare for the Future website.
"We are proud of the many partnerships we have across the mid-Atlantic region with agencies who also have a vested interest in reducing flood risk to help protect people and property," said Col. Estee Pinchasin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District commander. "Our district manages 15 dams and oversees nearly 150 miles of levees, which have prevented over $16 billion in flood damage. We will press hard to ensure our flood risk management projects are funded and resourced to monitor conditions and make continual necessary improvements. We will also continue to support and partner with our local communities to provide technical assistance and data to help them make informed decisions to best prepare them for flood risk - both now and into the future."
The 50th Anniversary of Hurricane Agnes: Learn from the Past and Prepare for the Future website contains visually compelling details and personal accounts about the direct impacts of Hurricane Agnes by state, information about how emergency response has evolved in the past 50 years, and actions people can take to be prepared for hurricanes and flooding. The website also includes information about flood mitigation efforts in the northeast since Hurricane Agnes, including an interactive map from FEMA Region 3 showing the storm track of Agnes and the location and type of various mitigation projects, as well as locations of USACE-owned flood risk management projects.
Highlights of upcoming events include the following. For further details, visit the anniversary website.
- Flood Mitigation Then & Now: 50 Years of Reducing Flood Risk Since Agnes
- Wednesday June 8, 11:00 a.m. - noon via Zoom (all eastern time)
- Register on Eventbrite.
- Agnes caused devastating flooding, but projects in place at the time of the storm significantly reduced its impact. Since Agnes, federal, state and local governments have invested even more to reduce the harm of future floods, but the nature of mitigation is changing. We’ll discuss the history of mitigation at the time of Agnes, what we’ve done since the storm, and how mitigation programs are evolving to overcome increasing challenges.
- Agnes at 50: Learn from the Past. Prepare for the Future.
- Tuesday June 21, 11 a.m. - noon via Zoom
- Register on Eventbrite.
- 50 years later, there are still many lessons to be learned from the impacts of Agnes. During this panel, you’ll hear from a former WYOU news broadcaster who was appointed to be the Luzerne County Civil Defense Public Information Officer during the storm and FEMA Region 3’s Hurricane Program Manager about immediate impacts of Agnes and how this storm compares to others we have experienced more recently.
- Agnes Reflections Facebook Live panel discussion
- Tuesday June 21, 7 p.m.
- Participate here: https://www.facebook.com/events/652058129676775
- The legacy Agnes left behind lives on in the hearts and minds of communities across the Mid-Atlantic region. Join us for this panel discussion about Hurricane Agnes, improvements in flood mitigation and prediction, and discussion on how to prepare for floods of the future.
On June 9, FEMA will also be releasing an episode about the Hurricane Agnes anniversary, including interviews with Agnes survivors, on the agency’s podcast channel.
We all have a role to play as we prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, and reflecting on Agnes now will help us be more prepared for the future. Visit Hurricanes | Ready.gov and Floods | Ready.gov to learn more about your risk and act today.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3
charles.elison Tue, 06/07/2022 - 14:39FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance State-by-State Breakdown
WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided more than $2.5 billion to over 389,000 individuals and families to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020. This assistance helped pay for the funerals of more than 398,000 people who died from COVID-19.
Eligibility determinations are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation. The determinations are not driven by state/locations.
“Applications” in the below chart reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the assistance process.
Please find state-specific information below:
State / Territory
Applications
Amount Approved
Number of Awards
Alabama
11,554
$60,176,030.42
8,862
Alaska
457
$1,542,816.73
315
American Samoa
27
$43,646.02
Less than 10
Arizona
9,079
$32,975,289.24
6,670
Arkansas
5,397
$25,919,776.38
4,148
California
42,852
$205,502,120.33
32,130
Colorado
4,911
$19,465,198.98
3,585
Connecticut
4,913
$26,647,948.43
3,890
Delaware
1,571
$7,501,841.06
1,183
District of Columbia
766
$3,654,486.83
549
Florida
33,704
$146,416,232.63
26,114
Georgia
20,569
$106,992,185.51
15,625
Guam
32
$135,055.19
19
Hawaii
708
$2,854,921.93
495
Idaho
1,844
$7,678,188.56
1,388
Illinois
19,982
$108,199,738.19
15,764
Indiana
10,558
$55,581,366.79
8,001
Iowa
4,314
$24,244,894.08
3,400
Kansas
4,624
$23,187,379.23
3,580
Kentucky
9,403
$51,330,506.36
7,132
Louisiana
8,621
$44,331,959.92
6,446
Maine
1,101
$4,292,950.10
806
Maryland
8,753
$44,747,992.48
6,669
Massachusetts
9,392
$48,554,430.83
7,102
Michigan
18,049
$86,594,628.14
14,110
Minnesota
5,502
$29,066,933.21
4,274
Mississippi
7,664
$38,212,914.18
5,650
Missouri
10,391
$50,682,087.91
8,128
Montana
1,296
$4,986,363.52
993
Nebraska
2,293
$12,199,270.28
1,765
Nevada
4,490
$17,448,676.24
3,283
New Hampshire
1,337
$6,081,828.78
1,022
New Jersey
16,500
$88,749,580.02
12,874
New Mexico
3,269
$12,398,596.53
2,357
New York
35,962
$190,997,779.14
27,878
North Carolina
17,044
$85,937,223.17
13,167
North Dakota
1,171
$6,807,022.43
916
Northern Mariana Islands
33
$82,231.99
14
Ohio
22,058
$112,139,044.38
17,322
Oklahoma
8,063
$38,344,609.69
6,113
Oregon
2,485
$8,070,342.56
1,797
Pennsylvania
23,974
$126,555,420.22
19,196
Puerto Rico
2,280
$6,150,331.93
1,598
Rhode Island
1,670
$8,980,143.78
1,314
South Carolina
11,421
$60,157,394.71
8,930
South Dakota
1,144
$6,399,214.33
893
Tennessee
14,468
$75,049,992.17
11,144
Texas
46,261
$234,392,350.66
36,127
U.S. Virgin Islands
78
$345,823.71
56
Utah
2,385
$12,156,988.94
1,790
Vermont
289
$1,184,014.67
217
Virginia
11,821
$60,288,236.25
9,124
Washington
4,431
$16,663,744.44
3,123
West Virginia
3,939
$20,347,826.07
2,980
Wisconsin
8,459
$43,508,332.80
6,553
Wyoming
794
$3,378,741.61
619
* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT Friday, June 3, 2022.
Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available. Please note, phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Applicants who use a relay service, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service so that agency representatives are able to contact them.
Additional information about COVID-19 funeral assistance, including frequently asked questions, is available on FEMA.gov.
mayshaunt.gary Mon, 06/06/2022 - 18:23FEMA Announces Progress in Puerto Rico’s Power Grid Work
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –─ Puerto Rico's electric generation, transmission and distribution system is on its way to becoming more robust with the approval of funds for 15 projects under FEMA’s Accelerated Award’s Strategy, known as FAASt. The projects represent more than $107.3 million in approved federal funding to kickstart what will become a more reliable electric grid for all Puerto Rico residents. In addition to these 15 projects, an Architecture and Engineering project was approved in October of last year.
“Today we are once again demonstrating that both federal and state government agencies, as well as the private sector, have a common purpose in order for Puerto Rico's reconstruction to continue moving forward. Teamwork is a priority for all of us, and together with FEMA, COR3, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and LUMA, we are on the road to a strong and resilient energy system for our island. We continue to move ahead and speed up the pace of the remaining work, because the excellent relationship we have with federal government agencies is delivering results,” said Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi, who last week was in Washington, D.C., and spoke with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about the reconstruction and resiliency of the electric grid.
The historic amount of funds to rebuild the island’s power grid represents an opportunity to build back better. Hazard mitigation is key as an additional measure to protect the federal investment. Likewise, this allows for the use of higher quality materials, among other planning measures that consider the risks associated with a future emergency.
“So far, we have approved an additional $9.2 million in mitigation funding for energy projects. All of those involved in this historic undertaking strive to ensure that Puerto Ricans have first-class electrical facilities. This will take time, but we are focused on the goal of an unprecedented recovery,” said FEMA’s Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.
For Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), “the constant communication that we maintain between PREPA, LUMA and FEMA, allows us as a team to further the reconstruction of the electrical grid. Currently, the repair of the Mayagüez and Aguirre power plants in Salinas are on track. Meanwhile, the public lighting projects are about to begin, which include the replacement of public light poles, photocells, luminaries and other components. These projects have an estimated cost of $90.7 million. At COR3, we are committed to continue being facilitators in this process that will improve the quality of service and provide resilience to critical infrastructure.”
In addition to the FAASt projects, another $8.7 million was awarded for PREPA’s Costa Sur facility to address damage caused by the 2020 earthquakes. Reconstruction at the site is almost complete, which has the capacity to generate about one third of the island’s power.
“The mission of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority is to provide electricity service in the most efficient, safe, affordable, reliable, environmentally friendly and responsive manner to the needs of our customers. In keeping with this mission, we are carrying out an aggressive and transformative repair program for the entire generation fleet, which amounts to approximately $1.5 billion and will increase the reliable availability of our most economic generating units, considerably reducing the probability of blackouts due to lack of generation and the use of less cost-effective units,” said PREPA Executive Director Josué A. Colón Ortiz.
As for projects related to the transmission and distribution system, managed by Luma Energy, funds were recently approved to repair distribution feeders in Caguas and Ponce. Both systems transfer energy to businesses, homes and other facilities. Moreover, FEMA assigned funds for work at the Manatí substation to replace circuit breakers and other equipment that help prevent short circuits and other hazards that cause service interruptions. In addition, a federal share of over $20.9 million was approved to modernize and strengthen the Cataño substation, which includes $6.8 million for mitigation activities to prevent similar damage from occurring in the future.
One aspect that contributes to improving the quality of life in the communities and helps provide safety on public roads is the street lighting. In addition to the replacement of public illumination systems previously announced by the company in Aguada and Maunabo; Guánica, Lajas and Luquillo are now added to the list.
“The Community Streetlight Initiative represents about $1 billion in funds, and we look forward to helping make communities safer with these island wide projects. We are committed to continue working together with FEMA and our other partners to plan, engineer and execute these vital infrastructure projects, said Dr. Shay Bahamirad, Senior Vice President of Engineering, Asset Management and Capital Programs at Luma.
To date, FEMA has obligated over $11.7 billion to PREPA for emergency work and permanent work projects related to Hurricane María and the 2020 earthquakes. FEMA works closely with the Government of Puerto Rico, COR3, PREPA and Luma to approve funds for projects that will result in more robust energy infrastructure.
For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, please visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow our social media pages at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 06/06/2022 - 17:32
$10.5 Million Federal Grant Will Bring Humphreys County’s Flood-Impacted Students Under One Roof Temporarily in the Fall
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee joins with FEMA today in announcing a $10.5 million federal grant to be used to reunite Humphreys County elementary and middle school students in a temporary facility following the damage to their schools from the deadly August 2021 flood.
“I applaud the local, state, and federal effort underway devoted to bringing a sense of normalcy to the citizens of Humphreys County and their schoolchildren,” Gov. Lee said. “This is one of many steps to be taken in a joint, long-term recovery commitment for Humphreys County.”
FEMA is obligating the funds through its Public Assistance program as part of the federal Major Disaster Declaration designated to the State of Tennessee following the August 2021 flood.
About 1,000 students, who have been dispersed in different schools throughout the county since last year, will attend fall classes in a renovated Acme Boot Company factory, once one of the town’s largest employers.
“Some of our school staff used to work summer jobs in that factory many years ago,” said Richard Rye, Director of Schools for Humphreys County. “Now it will be ours. We saved $2 million by moving into that building instead of bringing in portable classrooms.”
Unlike the schools damaged in the August 2021 flood, the temporary facility is not located in a floodplain. Last year’s flood inundated two of the county’s schools with up to eight feet of floodwater in some places, causing ceilings to collapse and sending heavy fire doors off their hinges and desks and chairs floating through the halls.
Rye had pulled into the school parking lot early that Saturday morning with a truck full of sandbags after he learned the creek was rising. Before he could unload one sandbag the water rose “like a tsunami.” He, along with a few other staff members, were forced to climb on the roof where they stayed for three hours before the water receded.
“Had that happened on a weekday when all the kids were in class, I don’t know what we would have done. There would have been many lives lost,” said Rye. “Sometimes it still keeps me awake at night. After that, I swore that I’d never put our kids back in those schools again.”
The factory will be retrofitted to include 69 classrooms, a cafeteria, and a playroom. Walls will be constructed and a reception area with secure vestibules added for the administration. A parking lot in the back will be turned into a playground, drop-off and pick-up point for parents along with a play gym. A larger parking space for faculty will be constructed in the front with bus lanes.
“Local, state, and federal officials came together quickly to collaborate with a positive outcome in mind,” said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. “A significant representation of this teamwork is the funding Gov. Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly made available in the 2023 state budget for the Humphreys County school system to purchase the ACME Boot factory, allowing local and state school officials, and FEMA, to begin working toward securing the PA grant quickly. Because of this close cooperation, Humphreys County students will have a safe place to attend classes this fall.”
School officials are in the process of locating a site to build the new permanent school and working with FEMA on funding. When the new school facilities are completed, the former factory will serve as the school system’s central office, technology, maintenance and transportation offices and garage.
The total cost of constructing the temporary facility is $11.7 million, with FEMA covering 90 percent, the state paying five percent and the local government responsible for the remaining five percent.
You may follow FEMA on facebook.com/fema and Twitter@FEMARegion4.
felicia.jordan Fri, 06/03/2022 - 19:36FEMA Grant Helps Expedite Building Permit Process in Tennessee Town
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –In the aftermath of the deadly flooding that occurred in Waverly, Tenn. in August 2021, Larry Lescure, the town’s Code Enforcement Director, wasn’t sure how he was going to take on the task of inspecting hundreds of damaged homes by himself.
“I’m just a one-man band,” said Lescure, a Waverly police officer for 30 years before he took on the job as building code manager. “If it weren’t for the FEMA grant, we wouldn’t be this far along in the rebuilding process.”
The town of Waverly is the second community in the country to benefit from a recent policy providing communities with resources needed to effectively administer and enforce building code and floodplain management. Section 1206 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorized FEMA funding to increase the overall speed of recovery and enhance compliance with state and locally adopted building codes and floodplain management ordinances.
Under Section 1206, activities that a community would normally undertake to administer and enforce its codes may be eligible for reimbursement. Eligible work may include:
- Costs for reviewing and processing building and floodplain management permits and plans.
- Hiring, training and supervising staff — including overtime for budgeted employees and straight and overtime for unbudgeted employees and extra hires.
- Inspecting structures
- Preparing cost information for substantial damage determinations.
With a grant of $4,500, Lescure was able to hire contractors to inspect damaged properties and make sure new structures were going up according to building and floodplain codes. This allowed residents and other organizations to rebuild faster,
In May, Waverly resident Eileen Puckett was the first to move into one of 25 homes that will be built in the community by the Appalachia Service Project, a Christian ministry that builds homes for low-income populations in the region. During the storm, Puckett had been trapped in her home with water up to her chest until a boat came to rescue her.
“When they told me that my part of the cost was zero, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders,” said Puckett. Since the flooding in the summer destroyed her home, Puckett has been living in a small apartment building in town that was once Flo’s BBQ place.
Before moving into her new home, Puckett had been receiving rental assistance from FEMA. But because her home was in a Special Flood Hazard Area and she did not carry flood insurance, she was not able to receive federal funding for rebuilding. Her new two-bedroom home sits on the same property and is now raised two feet above the floodplain base. The HVAC equipment has been placed in the attic as a mitigation measure.
You may follow FEMA on facebook.com/fema and Twitter@FEMARegion4.
felicia.jordan Fri, 06/03/2022 - 19:25Pages
