Preliminary Flood Maps for Lincoln County, Oklahoma 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 Stroud and unincorporated areas of Lincoln County, Oklahoma.

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 Lincoln County’s serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and setting rates for flood insurance. 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.

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Cost-saving options are available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about flood insurance options by talking with an insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Carmen.Castro Wed, 09/01/2021 - 19:18

Preliminary Flood Maps for Haskell County, Oklahoma Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas – Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in all communities and unincorporated areas of Haskell County, Oklahoma.

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.

This is Haskell County’s first complete set of digital FIRMs. These maps serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and setting rates for flood insurance. 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.

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Cost-saving options are available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about flood insurance options by talking with an insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Carmen.Castro Wed, 09/01/2021 - 19:12

September is National Preparedness Month; FEMA Reminds Families to Prepare and Protect Loved Ones

CHICAGO – Each September, FEMA’s National Preparedness Month reminds us how important it is to be prepared for any type of disaster risk, whether it be severe storms and flooding like southeast Michiganders experienced in late June, or even a pandemic like COVID-19.

“This month, FEMA is focused on raising awareness about how to protect those you love against disasters that may threaten your community,” said Scott Burgess, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for southeast Michigan’s disaster recovery operation. “Our goal is to empower individuals and families—especially those who have been traditionally underserved and marginalized— to take simple steps to prepare for those risks.”

The 2021 theme, “Prepare to Protect,” highlights how preparing for disasters protects everyone you love. Each week in September, the campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities.

Week 1, Sept. 1-4: Make A Plan

Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.

Week 2, Sept. 5-11: Build A Kit

Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home.  Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Week 3, September 12-18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness

Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family.  Know the risk of disasters in your area. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards.  Check your insurance coverage to make sure it is up to date. Ensure that you and your family are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Week 4, September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness

Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.

For more information on FEMA’s National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov/september. For more information about the disaster recovery operation in southeast Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4607.  

###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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

troy.christensen Wed, 09/01/2021 - 18:48

Preparing for Disasters is Protecting Everyone You Love

CHICAGO – September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 5 office in Chicago encourages everyone to take time out of their busy schedules to learn about the disasters that may threaten their community and take steps to limit the impacts of those risks for themselves and their families.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, wildfires and flooding throughout the country highlight the need to prepare yourself and your loved ones for disasters that could happen anywhere and at any time,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “This year’s theme is “Prepare to Protect,” which is a reminder that the best way to help your household and community recover from a disaster is by taking steps to prepare yourself and your family before disaster strikes.”

As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, this National Preparedness Month all Americans are encouraged to take the critical first step to be resilient before disasters strike by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Everyone, ages 12 and older, is recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Get engaged each week by focusing on a different aspect of preparedness:  

• Week 1, September 1 - 4: Make an Emergency Plan. Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control and your local health department recommendations due to the coronavirus.
• Week 2, September 5-11: Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit. Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.
• Week 3, September 12-18: Prepare for Disasters. Natural disasters don’t wait for a convenient time.  Preparing your family and your home shouldn’t wait either. Learn ways to protect your home from the most common weather-related disasters that can happen where you live. And make sure your family knows what to do before, during and after they happen.
• Week 4, September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness. Disasters affect everyone, and it’s important to teach our children how to prepare for disasters and emergencies. Talk with young people about the types of disasters that can happen where you live and encourage them to talk and ask questions when you are impacted by a disaster.

For detailed information about how to be ready for the emergencies you may be at risk for visit Ready.gov or our Spanish site at Listo.gov. Learn more about National Preparedness Month by visiting Ready.gov/September.

# # #

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

troy.christensen Wed, 09/01/2021 - 18:47

FEMA Region 3 Activates in Support of Ida Preparations and Response

PHILADELPHIA –The remnants of Hurricane Ida continue to bring damaging winds and life-threatening flash, urban and river flooding to communities in its path. This tropical storm system has the potential to be one of the more impactful to hit Region 3 in at least the last 5 years.

Ida is expected to bring 3 to 8 inches of rainfall across Region 3. Isolated cases of higher amounts are possible. Life-threatening flash flooding will be possible throughout all of WV, most of PA, most of MD, northern/western VA, DC, and northern DE, especially in steep terrain, in urban areas, and along small/creeks and streams. Moderate-to-major longer-term flooding along the bigger rivers is likely mid- to late week, particularly in the Monongahela, Potomac, Susquehanna and Delaware River basins. There is a chance for a strong tornado or two as Ida makes her way through the region, especially in southeastern/south-central PA, the DC/Baltimore metro areas, and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

History has shown that our region is susceptible to flooding rain and wind damage associated with the remnants of tropical systems. Ida will be no different and FEMA Region 3 FEMA, along with our federal, state, tribal and local partners, as well as non-government agencies and private sector entities, remain fully postured to respond to and support impacted communities.

“It is essential that we work together to help everyone respond to and recover from flooding,” said FEMA Region 3 Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “Ensure you have you have emergency supplies on hand and are ready to evacuate if instructed to do so.  If it is safe, check on neighbors who may require assistance. This includes individuals with infants and children as well as older adults, people with disabilities and others who may need help.”

Region 3 is supporting our states through the deployment of liaisons and teams to multiple locations in coordination with state emergency management directors.  We are also pre-positioning supplies and commodities.

Incident Management Assistance Teams, (IMATs) are teams made up of logistics, operations, and planning experts who interact directly with state and District emergency management personnel. Throughout the event, FEMA Region 3 is in daily contact with regional and national private sector partners, publishing daily news releases, and using social media to leverage the delivery of preparedness and safety information in support of local, state, and District officials.

FEMA Region 3 will continue to assess needs as the remnants of Ida move through our area and is working with our partners to plan for post-storm assessments.

 

Keep Yourself Safe During Flooding

•     Stay off the roads: Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off  the roads and out of the way.
•     Check on neighbors who may require assistance if it is safe to do so. This includes individuals with infants, children as well as older adults, people with disabilities and others who may need help.
•     Don’t drive through flood waters: Turn around, don’t drive. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle and as little as one foot of moving water can sweep away your vehicle.
•     Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
•     Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and animal waste, dangerous debris, contaminates that can lead to illness, or wild or stray animals.
• Use a generator correctly and safely. Keep generators dry and position them outdoors and well away from any structure. Using a generator incorrectly can lead to dangerous situations, including carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get fresh air right away.
•  For more tips on staying safe during flooding, visit Ready.gov/Floods

 

Stay Safe, Post-Storm

• If you need to evacuate post-storm, be extremely careful driving as roads may be damaged or blocked. If you go  to a community or group shelter, remember to follow the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting yourself and family from COVID-19. FEMA is prepared and activated  to respond to disasters in states in a COVID-19 environment and is well postured to handle this upcoming storm, despite the Delta variant surge.
• If you are in the path of Ida as it moves inland, gather supplies. Have enough supplies for your household. Include medication, disinfectant supplies, face masks, pet supplies and a battery-operated radio with extra batteries.
• If your home has flood water inside or around it, don’t walk or wade in it. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Never attempt to turn off power or operate circuit breakers while standing in water.
• Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris.
• Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. Stay far away and report them immediately to your power company.
• Check on friends and family: If you are able, please check on your neighbors, friends, and family because some may need more help than others.

 

Additional post-storm safety tips can be found on Ready.gov and Listo.gov, as well as by downloading the FEMA App. For more information on federal Hurricane Ida preparedness and response visit Hurricane Ida | FEMA.gov.

 

###

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

amanda.hancher Wed, 09/01/2021 - 17:35

La Guancha FEMA Will Recover with Multi-million Dollar Allocation from FEMA

The municipality of Ponce has close to $75.6 million in obligations as a result of Hurricane María

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico — An obligation of more than $6.7 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was recently assigned for repairs at the Recreational and Cultural Center Enrique “Coco” Vicéns, known as La Guancha. With these funds, permanent repairs will be made to the facilities of this iconic complex in Ponce.

In addition to being a meeting place, La Guancha is key in the economy of this city known as the stately city (Ciudad Señorial). During regular operations, the businesses located there generated around $6.2 million in revenue. After the repairs are finalized, business opportunities are expected to duplicate, and this amount is projected to increase to $12 million, per municipal data.

According to Puerto Rico’s Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero, emblematic places like La Guancha are also important in the recovery of Puerto Rico. “It is a source of great satisfaction that, through these funding allocations, we are able to help restore sites that promote entertainment, family involvement and tourism, which are vital to the island's recovery process. This is a holistic development that goes beyond the reconstruction of buildings; it is the recovery of our social, family and cultural environment.”, said Baquero.

For the Mayor of Ponce, Luis Irizarry Pabón, the Municipal Administration has the determination to accomplish what will lead to a boost to this damaged economy, including “all the viable alternatives that allow for that surge in commercial and tourist activity at La Guancha.” The mayor understands that this facility serves as a platform for creative, gastronomical and cultural businesses, and has such variety in creative alternatives that makes this “one of the most important tourist centers in the Caribbean. The La Guancha area is connected to Ponce’s vision of the future, that, with a port and an airport with potential for growth and expansion, represents a real opportunity for strength and change,” he said.

La Guancha sits on over 134,000 square meters, where concrete columns and panels, lighting poles and its renowned boardwalk will be replaced. Of the funds allocated, $1.2 million is for future damage mitigation efforts and includes work to increase erosion and storm surge protection. In addition, a total of 155 direct  and 42 indirect jobs are expected to be generated once it is in optimal condition.

For their part, Yanit Madera Laboy and her husband Edgar Rodríguez Plaza, owners of two kiosks in La Guancha, said they are hopeful that these federal funds will give the area a fresh start. They suffered major damage during hurricane María, including the roof and solar panels, among other damage, which later worsened with the earthquakes and the pandemic, causing them to shutter their operations for a year. At the moment, there are about 40 active business owners there.

In addition, the Southern Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce stated though its president, Luis Alvarado Cintrón, the entity’s satisfaction and support for the adjudication of funds for the permanent work at La Guancha. “This recreational and cultural complex is iconic of our city and one of the most visited by thousands of people daily, being one the engines of economic development in our Southern Region through the Tourism program,” he said.

Similarly, Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), said that through these funds allocated by FEMA, a vital space is recovered for socioeconomic development that is of great interest for tourism in the southern part of Puerto Rico. "Currently, we have disbursed close to $7.2 million for permanent work, which include roads, bridges, buildings, equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities, among other assets of the Municipality of Ponce. We reiterate our commitment to be facilitators in the execution process of the recovery projects led by the municipality of Ponce," he concluded.

For more information about the recovery of Puerto Rico after hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 09/01/2021 - 12:37

FEMA Urges Extreme Caution During Recovery from Ida

WASHINGTON -- FEMA continues working with federal, state, local, tribal and non-governmental partners to support the needs of areas affected by Ida. As parts of the south begin their clean-up efforts, the storm continues tracking inland, bringing considerable heavy rain and flooding threats from the Tennessee and Ohio valleys into the central and southern Appalachians and mid-Atlantic through Wednesday.

Individuals who experienced damage and power loss should use extreme caution during the recovery phase. Areas inland will continue to experience dangerous weather conditions, so please be safe and pay attention to local emergency management officials.

“FEMA’s priorities are to support lifesaving and life-sustaining action. Put your health and safety first and be careful in areas with storm damage or flooding,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.  “If you evacuated, return only when officials say it is safe to do so.”

Federal actions to support areas affected by Hurricane Ida

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Louisiana on Aug. 29 is in addition to the Aug. 27 emergency declaration. The President approved Mississippi’s emergency declaration on Aug. 28. The declaration was amended to include all 84 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Additional damage assessments are ongoing.

If you were impacted by Ida and have insurance, contact your insurance company and FEMA. You will need to provide your insurance claim information to FEMA to determine eligibility for federal assistance. FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance.

If you are in one of the parishes approved for individual assistance and do not have insurance, you can apply for disaster assistance and get referrals to local, state and federal agencies and voluntary organizations. The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 or through the FEMA mobile app.

If you use a relay service, such as your videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, please provide your specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact you, and you should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.

Spanish-speakers can call or text the hotline and press “2” for bilingual support. Callers can also connect with counselors in over 100 other languages via 3rd-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor, who will connect to a live interpreter. 

Deaf or hard of hearing American Sign Language users can contact the DDH through a direct videophone option via any videophone-enabled device and dialing 1-800-985-5990, or by selecting the “ASL Now” option on the DDH website at disasterdistress.samhsa.gov.

Visit Hurricane Ida | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for residents in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and other areas that may be affected by Ida. The page is available in French, Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

More than 1,300 FEMA employees are deployed to support Ida response and recovery efforts. There are seven FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams deployed to support states affected. Five are in Louisiana, and two are in Mississippi. Commodities, equipment and personnel are pre-positioned to assist, as needed.

Other resources available include:

• The National Emergency Management Association is helping facilitate additional resources to the area through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Resources from eight states have been sent to assist with ongoing response and recovery effort. 
• Additional ambulance crews are also deployed to Louisiana and Mississippi. This includes more than 150 ambulances/500 paratransit seats and emergency medical service providers in Gonzales, Louisiana and 35 air ambulances in both states.
• As power outages continue, American Red Cross and other partners continue operating shelters and providing meals throughout the areas affected by Ida. The Salvation Army deployed personnel, supplies and equipment to the areas to assist with feeding and recovery missions. Their operations can feed up to 30,000 daily.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) deployed a 250-bed federal medical shelter to Alexandria, Louisiana. The shelter is scheduled to be operational by Sept. 3. The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration activated its Disaster Distress helpline. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746) to disaster survivors in Louisiana experiencing emotional distress.
• The U.S. Coast Guard has 27 rotary or fixed wing assets, and the Department of Defense has 60 high water vehicles and 14 rotary wing assets prepositioned to assist with search and rescue.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an emergency declaration that provides truck drivers flexibility to move critical freight to areas damaged by Ida. DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration activated an emergency relief docket that offers railroads the ability to obtain temporary waivers from safety regulations to help them speed up service recovery and restoration  to move goods  necessary for emergency relief efforts.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have power restoration teams, debris management teams and roofing experts deployed to conduct damage assessments and support state partners in their recovery missions.
• The Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency fuel waiver for Louisiana and Mississippi to help with fuel supply in those states during the ongoing response and recovery.

amy.ashbridge Tue, 08/31/2021 - 18:48

FEMA Urges Mid-Atlantic Residents to Prepare for Tropical Depression Ida

PHILADELPHIA – Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana on Sunday afternoon with devastating consequence. Ida has been downgraded to a tropical storm but will continue to bring life-threatening flash, urban and river flooding to communities throughout the mid-Atlantic over the coming days.

Tropical Storm Ida is expected to bring three to six inches of rainfall to the Ohio Valley, southern/central Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic today through Wednesday. A few areas could see higher amounts. Portions of our region have received several inches of rainfall over the past two weeks from weather systems including but not limited to Fred and Henri, which have primed soils and rivers for additional water related impacts ranging from erosion to flooding.

Considerable flash and river flooding will be possible across FEMA Region 3 to include most of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, northern/western Virginia, Washington, DC, and northern Delaware. Areas near mountains, urban communities, and along small creeks and streams should plan for flooding associated with Ida which may persist through mid- to late week, and perhaps into the weekend in the same areas.

History has shown that the region is susceptible to flooding rain associated with the remnants of tropical systems. Ida will be no different. FEMA Region 3 along with our federal, state, tribal and local partners, as well as non-government agencies and private sector entities, remain fully postured to respond to and support impacted communities.

“FEMA Region 3 is ready to assist our state and District partners,” said FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “We are working in hand in with state and District response officials to position personnel and resources.”

Tierney adds, “Everyone has the ability and opportunity to prepare before any storm hits. There are actions you can take as an individual to protect yourself. If you live in an area susceptible to flooding, be prepared for what is coming and prepare accordingly. Severe storms impact everyone in their path. FEMA encourages everyone to protect your home now, check your emergency supplies, stay in contact with family and neighbors, work with your local emergency manager if you need additional guidance or assistance, and keep up to date on changing weather conditions.

As the storm moves inland, anyone in the forecast path should prioritize completing final preparations, monitor your local news for updates and directions provided by local officials, as well as check on neighbors and loved ones if safe to do so.

Keep Yourself Safe During Flooding

• Stay off the roads: Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas.
• Check on neighbors who may require assistance if it is safe to do so. This includes individuals with infants, children as well as older adults, people with disabilities and others who may need help.
• Don’t drive through flood waters: Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and animal waste, dangerous debris, contaminates that can lead to illness, or wild or stray animals.

Stay Safe, Post-Storm

• If you need to evacuate post-storm, be extremely careful driving as roads may be damaged or blocked. If you go  to a community or group shelter, remember to follow the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting yourself and family from COVID-19. FEMA is prepared and activated  to respond to disasters in states in a COVID-19 environment and is well postured to handle this upcoming storm  despite the Delta surge.
• Check local media for a list of shelters, including those who can accommodate pets. If you are staying in a hotel, please call before you go and ask if pets are permitted.
• If you are in the path of Ida as it moves inland, gather supplies. Have enough supplies for your household. Include medication, disinfectant supplies, face masks, pet supplies and a battery-operated radio with extra batteries.
• If your home has flood water inside or around it, don’t walk or wade in it. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Never attempt to turn off power or operate circuit breakers while standing in water.
• Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
• Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. Stay far away and report them immediately to your power company.
• Don’t drive through flood waters: Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Use a generator correctly and safely. Keep generators dry and position them outdoors and well away from any structure. Using a generator incorrectly can lead to dangerous situations, including carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get fresh air right away.
• If you are able, please check on your neighbors, friends, and family because some may need more help than others.

Additional post-storm safety tips can be found on Ready.gov and Listo.gov. For more information on federal Hurricane Ida preparedness and response visit Hurricane Ida | FEMA.gov.

###

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

gabriel.lugo Tue, 08/31/2021 - 16:12

Apply for FEMA Assistance Even If You Have Insurance

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – If you have experienced losses in the severe storms and flooding that struck Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Humphreys counties on Aug. 21, you do not have to wait for your insurance settlement before you apply for FEMA aid.

FEMA cannot duplicate benefits, but once you are in FEMA’s application system, you can submit documentation on your insurance when you receive it and any uninsured losses can be expedited.

Common reasons FEMA encourages even those with insurance to apply:

• You received the settlement from your insurance company, but it did not cover all your losses. FEMA may be able to assist with unmet needs.
• You have exhausted your policy limit or settlement for Additional Living Expenses (ALE for loss of use) or your policy doesn’t pay for temporary housing and your home is too damaged to live in.
• Your settlement does not cover disaster-related costs, such as medical or dental, transportation, and other disaster-related expenses.
• Waiting for an insurance settlement before applying may cause you to miss FEMA’s application deadline of Oct. 25.

Residents can apply in several ways: online at DisasterAssistance.gov; or through the FEMA app by downloading it to a smartphone or tablet. Or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Lines are open daily from 7a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

The Helpline is also your go-to resource for answers to questions about insurance or your application as well as to update information on your current housing situation

For more information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit www.tn.gov/tema.html and www.fema.gov/disaster/4609. You may also follow FEMA on www.facebook.com/fema and Twitter @FEMARegion4.

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

bree-constance… Tue, 08/31/2021 - 14:06

Whole of Government Focuses on Lifesaving Measures, Power Restoration for Hurricane Ida Response

WASHINGTON -- A tremendous coordination effort is taking place at all levels of government and utilizing assets from across the nation to conduct life-safety and rescue efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi.  

Emergency and first responder teams began their operations early Monday morning. From Texas to Alabama, search and rescue teams from more than 15 states, FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard are conducting search and rescue operations across the impacted areas.

The U.S. Northern Command is supporting logistics and coordination to move equipment and supplies from several Incident Support Bases across Mississippi and Louisiana. FEMA deployed 17 Urban Search and Rescue teams with more than 950 personnel to assist with these efforts.

Federal and state agencies remain focused on supporting power restoration efforts. Thousands of power restoration crews are working throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. Crews are asking residents in those areas to be extremely careful and avoid any downed power lines.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has an Emergency Power Planning and Response Team to assist with the efforts. They are also supporting debris removal, temporary roofing, infrastructure assessment and temporary housing in Louisiana.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. approved Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration on Sunday. The declaration authorizes federal funding available to affected individuals in 25 parishes. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

President Biden approved Louisiana’s request for an emergency declaration on Aug. 27, and Mississippi’s request on Aug. 28. The declarations authorize FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts in support of the states by identifying, mobilizing and providing equipment and resources necessary to alleviate hardship and suffering of the local population. Additionally, the declarations authorize FEMA to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property, public health and safety in all 64 Louisiana parishes and 24 Mississippi counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

FEMA received Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ request for an amendment to the emergency declaration to include all 84 counties for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. The request is under review.

Residents who have evacuated should not return home until local officials say it is safe to do so. Thousands of people have stayed in shelters coordinated by the American Red Cross in Louisiana and Mississippi. The Red Cross and emergency management officials expect a rise in temporary shelter numbers as people experience sustained power outages or cannot return to damaged homes. If someone needs temporary shelter, call your local 2-1-1 or look for shelter locations on your phone via the Red Cross app.  FEMA activated several mutual-aid agreements for more than 160 ambulances and emergency medical service providers for evacuation support. Additionally, eight fixed-wing and seven rotary air ambulances were staged for patient evacuation, as needed.

Stay informed. Individuals in Louisiana can text IDA to 67283 for storm updates from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Individuals in Alabama should follow the guidance of local officials or visit the Alabama Emergency Management Agency website. For storm updates in Mississippi, visit Hurricane Ida – Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Use a generator safely. Keep generators outside and far away from your home. Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open. Windows, doors and vents could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Read both the label on your generator and the owner's manual and follow the instructions.

Stay inside. If you must leave your home:

• Don’t drive through flood waters. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and livestock waste, dangerous debris, contaminates that can lead to illness, or wild or stray animals.

Power Outages can impact the safety of food in your refrigerator and freezer.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to a temperature of 40°Fahrenheit (4° Celsius) or higher for two hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, heat-resistant bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly.

Visit FEMA’s resources online for response and recovery social media banners, videos, for disaster survivors and the public.  These images are in different languages including English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese and ASL. For general hurricane preparedness and safety tips, visit Ready.gov and Listo.gov.

mayshaunt.gary Tue, 08/31/2021 - 01:32

Louisiana Survivors Affected by Hurricane Ida Can Apply for Possible FEMA Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Ida who live in parishes that have recently been designated for Individual Assistance could be eligible for help from FEMA.

The parishes are: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Parishes.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

As soon as it is safe to do so, start cleaning up. Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.

Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families recover from the effects of the event.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and most nonprofits. Similar to FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.

• For small businesses, those engaged in aquaculture and most nonprofits, up to $2 million is available for working capital needs even if there was no property damage, with a $2 million maximum loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs.
• For homeowners: up to $200,000 is available to repair or replace their primary residence. For homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 is available to replace personal property, including vehicles.

Businesses and residents can apply online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov. SBA will answer specific questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor recover from the disaster damage

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4611. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 08/30/2021 - 23:21

ICYMI – FEMA Administrator Responds to Ida’s Initial Impacts

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell briefed the media this morning on initial Hurricane Ida impacts and federal response.

On ABC’s Good Morning America, Administrator Criswell addressed dangerous conditions for those in the path of the storm.

“Some of the initial reports that we're hearing are some building collapses across the area, significant structural damage to many buildings. We're seeing some barges and some vessels that may have been broken loose and we're also experiencing over a million power outages right at the moment,” said the Administrator. “The state has search and rescue teams either in place right now rescuing or ready to go out at first light. This is significant. There is major damage. We've got a lot of resources in place to support the state, and they'll be going out as soon as it's safe to do so.”

At this point in FEMA’s response, life-safety is critical. Administrator Criswell underlined this focus during her interview with CBS News.

“I’ve been in touch with the regional administrator in Baton Rouge, both last night and this morning,” she said. “We're getting reports of significant structural damage across the area. Potentially, some buildings have collapsed. As you heard, several people are calling for assistance to help them get out. We're going have a long road over the next few days, as we try to identify where people may be, and people to need to be prepared to stay put for about 72 hours. We're going to get to you. The state and local first responders will get to you as quickly as they can.”

Disaster response works best when it is locally managed, state led and federally supported. When asked about FEMA’s coordination with local officials on CNN, Administrator Criswell emphasized our important partnerships.

“We have never had a better relationship with the state and local emergency management officials. The first responders -- they are ready. They're going to be doing an amazing job. A lot of hard work over the next several days. It's important to remember that they are probably impacted as well. They are some of the best that Louisiana has, and it's just going to be a tough couple of days as we go through the initial response efforts. The recovery is just going to take a long time.”

Hurricane Ida has displaced many people along the Gulf Coast. Administrator Criswell discussed sheltering during her interview with MSNBC.

“The state has shelters set up across the state right now. We're also prepared to move people into hotels, until they can get back into their homes safely or identify other long-term solutions. The power company has brought in crews to help restore the power. There's several other crews from other states that are going to be brought in to support. We also have the Army Corps of Engineers that is ready to support power restoration through the generators for any critical facilities that might need that.”

Louisiana received a major disaster declaration from the President for Hurricane Ida. Administrator Criswell described during a Weather Channel interview what this means in terms of federal support for those impacted by the storm.  

“President Biden declared a major disaster declaration for Louisiana late last night. That is going to give us the ability to bring in whatever resources the federal government has to support the state and local efforts. Another big piece of that is that individuals that have been impacted by this, they can now receive some assistance from FEMA. They can go to DisasterAssistance.gov, or they can call 1-800-621-FEMA to start that process. We have 22 federal partners here in the in NRCC [National Response Coordination Center], the [U.S.] Coast Guard, the American Red Cross, the Department of Defense, all bringing search and rescue assets, high-water vehicles, generators, just a large number of resources here from across the federal government to do whatever we need to do to help this community begin its recovery.”

It is important for survivors to follow the instructions of state and local officials during all phases of a disaster, including recovery. The administrator went on to remind those impacted by Hurricane Ida to remain cautious.

“When people want to go back to their homes, it is going to be dangerous. They need to exercise extreme caution, as they are going back into the area. Downed power lines, trees, instable buildings. They need to be able to watch out for themselves, not put themselves in harm’s way.” For more information on federal Hurricane Ida preparedness and response visit Hurricane Ida | FEMA.gov.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 08/30/2021 - 23:13

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance State-by-State Breakdown

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided over $1.086 billion to more than 165,000 people to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020. 

Eligibility determinations are not driven by state/location; instead, they are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation.

“Applications” in the below chart reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the assistance process.

Please find state-specific information below:

State-specific Information on COVID-19-related Funeral Cost Assistance

State/Territory

Applications

Amount Approved

Number of Awards

ALABAMA

5,991

$25,416,591

3,673

ALASKA

141

$425,535

75

AMERICAN SAMOA

Less than 10

$9,000

Less than 10

ARIZONA

4,496

$14,081,235

2,732

ARKANSAS

2,725

$10,845,509

1,699

CALIFORNIA

27,344

$108,066,874

16,566

COLORADO

2,067

$7,334,374

1,301

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANAS

Less than 10

$4,344

Less than 10

CONNECTICUT

3,163

$15,094,444

2,168

DELAWARE

806

$2,972,062

469

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

510

$1,872,198

275

FLORIDA

15,919

$51,720,240

9,117

GEORGIA

9,926

$42,885,263

6,175

GUAM

13

$51,162

Less than 10

HAWAII

266

$854,056

144

IDAHO

565

$1,832,347

319

ILLINOIS

11,047

$49,063,475

7,155

INDIANA

4,634

$21,353,610

3,036

IOWA

2,296

$11,063,461

1,541

KANSAS

2,203

$9,607,020

1,462

KENTUCKY

3,529

$16,668,998

2,321

LOUISIANA

4,913

$21,073,056

3,061

MAINE

356

$1,115,274

203

MARYLAND

5,160

$22,021,622

3,263

MASSACHUSETTS

5,301

$24,448,740

3,506

MICHIGAN

8,897

$35,820,860

5,858

MINNESOTA

2,573

$12,486,120

1,802

MISSISSIPPI

4,288

$17,367,765

2,562

MISSOURI

4,918

$20,185,951

3,190

MONTANA

476

$1,265,987

244

NEBRASKA

1,139

$5,453,680

764

NEVADA

2,319

$7,052,792

1,273

NEW HAMPSHIRE

631

$2,480,089

410

NEW JERSEY

11,016

$48,892,907

7,026

NEW MEXICO

1,458

$3,933,309

763

NEW YORK

24,079

$99,465,381

14,321

NORTH CAROLINA

7,861

$33,581,093

5,030

NORTH DAKOTA

633

$2,797,135

374

OHIO

8,962

$39,864,468

6,154

OKLAHOMA

3,707

$15,841,265

2,460

OREGON

813

$2,531,224

477

PENNSYLVANIA

11,903

$53,368,987

8,083

PUERTO RICO

1,140

$2,185,233

600

RHODE ISLAND

1,074

$4,219,978

610

SOUTH CAROLINA

5,432

$24,543,957

3,526

SOUTH DAKOTA

677

$3,109,737

422

TENNESSEE

6,488

$29,919,291

4,326

TEXAS

23,887

$99,751,315

15,205

U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

28

$85,194

14

UTAH

1,027

$4,729,927

672

VERMONT

129

$539,315

90

VIRGINIA

5,724

$25,001,092

3,730

WASHINGTON

1,781

$5,732,668

1,035

WEST VIRGINIA

1,389

$5,369,036

790

WISCONSIN

4,137

$18,484,421

2,812

WYOMING

256

$965,931

167

* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. today.

Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, 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.

luther.wills-dudich Mon, 08/30/2021 - 21:58

Registration for FEMA Assistance Closes in Two Weeks

CHICAGO – Don’t get overlooked, get the help you need. 

The FEMA registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, for residents of Washtenaw and Wayne counties with damage or losses from the June 25-26 severe storms and flooding.

Washtenaw and Wayne counties were designated eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program under the Major Disaster Declaration signed by President Biden on July 15.

FEMA assistance may include grants for temporary housing and emergency home repairs to make your home safe, accessible and secure. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, if you don’t have homeowners insurance or are underinsured, you may receive assistance after your insurance claims have been settled.

If you have a homeowners insurance policy, file your insurance claim before applying to FEMA.

Even if you reported your damage to another agency or organization, you must still register with FEMA if you want to access federal disaster grants and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) long-term, low-interest disaster loans.

To register for assistance:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov. Online applications must be completed no later than midnight, ET on Sept. 13.

• Call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Operators are multilingual and calls are answered 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week.
• Use the FEMA App.

For the latest information on Michigan’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4607.

###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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

troy.christensen Mon, 08/30/2021 - 21:32

58 Mississippi Counties Added to Hurricane Ida Emergency Declaration

ATLANTA - An additional 58 Mississippi counties have been designated for federal emergency aid to supplement state, local, and tribal response efforts for areas affected by Hurricane Ida, beginning on Aug. 28 and continuing.

Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Claiborne, Clarke, Clay, Coahoma, Copiah, Desoto, Grenada, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Itawamba, Jasper, Kemper, Lafayette, Lauderdale, Leake, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Simpson, Smith, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Warren, Washington, Webster, Winston, Yalobusha, and Yazoo Counties have been added to the emergency declaration approved by the President on Aug. 28, 2021.

Under the emergency declaration, FEMA is authorized to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures authorized under 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 storm. Reimbursement for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding.

With the additions, every county in Mississippi has now been designated for federal emergency aid under the emergency declaration. The initial list included: Adams, Amite, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, Walthall, Wayne and Wilkinson Counties.

neily.chapman Mon, 08/30/2021 - 20:36

FEMA Urges Residents to Stay Alert to Continuing Risks from Ida

WASHINGTON -- FEMA continues to track Ida, which made landfall as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Port Fourchon, La., on Sunday afternoon. Now downgraded to a tropical storm, Ida continues to bring dangerous storm surge, damaging winds and life-threatening flash, urban and river flooding over portions of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi today.

“FEMA’s priorities are to support effected states by providing life-saving and life-sustaining actions,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Areas inland will continue to experience dangerous weather conditions, so please be safe and listen to local emergency management officials.”

On Aug. 29, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. approved a Major Declaration for the State of Louisiana. The declaration authorizes Individual and Public Assistance for 25 parishes, Public Assistance for 39 parishes and hazard mitigation statewide.

Survivors in parishes approved for individual assistance can apply for disaster assistance. The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. They can also apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or through the FEMA mobile app.

President Biden approved Louisiana’s request for an emergency declaration on Aug. 27, and Mississippi’s request on Aug. 28. The declarations authorize FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts in support of the states by identifying, mobilizing and providing equipment and resources necessary to alleviate hardship and suffering of the local population. Additionally, the declarations authorize FEMA to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property, public health and safety in all 64 Louisiana parishes and 24 Mississippi counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

FEMA received Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ request for an amendment to the emergency declaration to include all 84 counties for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. The request is under review.

• As the storm moves inland, anyone in the forecast path should rush to complete final preparations. Monitor your local news for updates and directions provided by local officials, and please check on your people, if it is safe to do so.
• Put your health and safety first: be careful walking around damaged areas. If you evacuated, only return when officials say it is safe to do so.
• Please be safe and listen to local emergency management officials and watch for emergency alerts and real-time safety notifications on evacuations.
• If you have storm damage, take photographs or video to document it.
• Use a generator safely. Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.
  • Keep generators outside and far away from your home. Windows, doors and vents could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Read both the label on your generator and the owner's manual and follow the instructions.
• Visit Hurricane Ida | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for residents in Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. The page is available in French, Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Federal Actions to Support Areas Affected by Hurricane Ida

• FEMA is working with its federal, state and local partners as well as non-governmental agencies to support needs of areas affected by Ida. The agency positioned supplies such as meals, water and generators to assist states with impacts from this storm.
• More than 3,600 FEMA employees are deployed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and are ready to provide additional support as needed.
• Seven FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams are deployed to support states affected by Hurricane Ida: four in Louisiana, one in Alabama and two in Mississippi.
• FEMA liaison officers are deployed to Alabama, Louisiana and Texas.
• Incident Support Bases have been established in Alexandria, La., and Montgomery and Selma, Ala. Commodities, equipment and personnel are being pre-positioned to rapidly deploy post-storm, as needed. This includes:
  • Thirteen Urban Search and Rescue teams are staged in Louisiana, and four more in Alabama.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Power Restoration teams have mobilized to Louisiana and Mississippi to conduct assessments.
  • Debris subject matter experts are in Louisiana and Mississippi.
  • 150 ambulances/500 paratransit seats and emergency medical service providers are in Gonzales, La.
  • 10 air ambulances are staged in New Orleans for post-storm patient evacuation if needed. An additional 15 air ambulances are in transit.
  • FEMA has staged more than 3.4 million meals, 2.4 million liters of water and more than 35,700 tarps and 184 generators. Twenty-nine additional generators are staged at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
• Mobile Emergency Response Support assets, including emergency operations vehicles, are deployed to support Louisiana and Mississippi.
• FEMA assigned additional personnel from the federal government, including the Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide support as needed. 
• HHS is deploying a 250-bed federal medical shelter to Alexandria, La.
• The U.S. Coast Guard has 27 rotary or fixed wing assets, and the Department of Defense has 60 high-water vehicles and 14 rotary wing assets prepositioned to assist with search and rescue.
• Forty-eight shelters are open in affected areas throughout the Gulf Coast.

Keep Yourself, Family and Neighbors Safe Before and After Flooding

• Stay off the roads. Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
• Check on neighbors who may require assistance, if it is safe to do so. This includes individuals with infants, children as well as older adults, people with disabilities and others who may need help.
• Don’t drive through flood waters. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low-lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and animal waste, dangerous debris, contaminates that can lead to illness, or wild or stray animals.

Stay Safe from Post-Storm Hazards

• If you need to evacuate post-storm, be extremely careful driving as roads may be damaged or blocked. If you go to a community or group shelter, remember to follow the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting yourself and family from COVID-19. FEMA is prepared and activated to respond to disasters in states in a COVID-19 environment and is well postured to handle this upcoming storm despite the Delta surge.
• Check local media for a list of shelters, including those who can accommodate pets. If you are staying in a hotel, Please call before you go and ask if pets are permitted.
• If you are in the path of Ida as it moves inland, gather supplies. Have enough supplies for your household. Include medication, disinfectant supplies, face masks, pet supplies and a battery-operated radio with extra batteries. After a hurricane, you may not have access to these supplies for days or weeks.
• If your home has flood water inside or around it, don’t walk or wade in it. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Never attempt to turn off power or operate circuit breakers while standing in water.
• Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
• Avoid downed power or utility lines. They may be live with deadly voltage. Stay far away and report them immediately to your power company.
• Stay informed. Individuals in Louisiana can text IDA to 67283 for storm updates from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness or visit GOHSEP > GOHSEP (la.gov). Individuals in Alabama should follow the guidance of local officials or visit ema.alabama.gov/. For storm updates in Mississippi, visit Hurricane Ida – MEMA (msema.org).
• Stay put. 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. If you evacuated, do not return home until local officials say it is safe.
• Don’t drive through flood waters. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Check on friends and family. If you are able, please check on your neighbors, friends, and family because some may need more help than others.

Stay Safe During Power Outages

• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. A grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning devices should never be used inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. These should only be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. 
• Use a generator safely. Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.
• Keep generators outside and far away from your home. Windows, doors and vents could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Read both the label on your generator and the owner's manual and follow the instructions.
• Use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting. NEVER use candles during a blackout or power outage due to extreme risk of fire.
• Power outages can impact the safety of food in your refrigerator and freezer.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
  • Throw away any food that has been exposed to a temperature of 40°Fahrenheit (4° Celsius) or higher for two hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
  • Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, heat-resistant bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly.

amy.ashbridge Mon, 08/30/2021 - 17:29

Territory and Federal Partners Execute Evacuation Shelter Drill in a Pandemic Environment

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – The winds and rains swirl as a Category 2 hurricane approaches the island and evacuees file out of the Virgin Islands Transit (VITRAN) bus and approach the D.C. Canegata Recreation Center to seek shelter. Many of the evacuees are exhausted, with loved ones left behind.

About 10 evacuees approach the entrance to the recreation center and urge the Virgin Islands National Guard soldiers they need to get into the shelter as the storm approaches St. Croix. One woman is worried about her husband’s whereabouts, another woman raises concerns about being in a shelter with COVID-19 cases surging on the island and a man asks for food and water.

The evacuees are reassured by the Guard’s soldiers, a Virgin Islands Police Department officer, representatives from the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services and American Red Cross. The men and women are pre-screened, take COVID-19 tests, get temperature checks, and are processed into the shelter.

Shelter workers announce protocols and say lights will go out at 10 p.m. Ultimately, all was OK. The evacuees were volunteers from the Virgin Islands Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and there was no approaching storm. Human Services and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), through support of FEMA’s planning and logistical resources, led a successful field shelter drill under blue skies.

The afternoon field drill was preceded in the morning by discussions on operating congregate shelters in disaster conditions, while in a COVID-19 pandemic environment. The Mass Care Evacuation Shelter drill’s focus to validate the territory’s capability of opening shelters, initial operations, and closing shelters in a pandemic environment had three objectives.

• Validate the congregate shelter portions of the Mass Care Pandemic Implementation Plan Annex,
• Assess interagency coordination to support the roles and responsibilities critical in shelter operations during a COVID-19 environment and
• Identify potential safety, staffing and logistical challenges in shelter operations may arise during an all-hazards event in a pandemic.

Mark A. Walters, Coordinator for FEMA’s U.S. Virgin Islands Caribbean Area Office, saw the challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to leverage federal resources to support the territory with planning the shelter drill. “Mass care is a critical emergency support function with disaster response. The surge in COVID-19 cases across the U.S. Virgin Islands and approaching peak of hurricane season makes it essential to rehearse response focus areas such as sheltering before storms develop. We will continue to stay alert and support the territory with preparedness and response throughout the hurricane season,” said Walters.

Various scenarios were raised by exercise participants before the field drill related to evacuation shelter operations. Numerous topics were raised including:

• What to do if evacuees refuse screening for COVID-19,
• COVID-19 protocols for territorial agencies and volunteers who would support shelter operations,
• Availability of nurses and resources to support COVID-19 testing and evacuees who were diagnosed positive or showing coronavirus symptoms,
• The frequency of testing for evacuees, adequate staffing and availability of communications resources such as Spanish and Haitian-Creole translators and American Sign Language interpreters.  

Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez was appreciative of the numerous participants who supported the shelter exercise and said Mass Care operations take a whole community effort. “Our way of life has completely changed since the pandemic, and this includes our disaster preparedness and planning efforts for our Virgin Islands community. Our public message since the 2020 season has been to shelter-in-place with the support from your friends, family, neighbors, and faith-based organizations,” said Commissioner Causey-Gomez.

“It is equally important for DHS to be prepared through our Mass Care requirements to have a safe evacuation shelter to be used, hopefully as a last resort to our residents. We understand not everyone is able to shelter-in-place and this training and exercise helped us to continually work together as a team to provide safety and security to you when you need it the most,” said Commissioner Causey-Gomez.

“We are thankful for our partner agencies, as well as the FEMA team who were willing to assist in our endeavors for improvement. It is important to ensure you are prepared individually and as a family unit, please obtain all of your supplies (i.e. water, food, prescriptions, batteries, etcetera) needed now,” said Commissioner Causey-Gomez.

The exercise allowed participants to brainstorm concepts to keep COVID-19 outside shelters and develop plans to strengthen shelter operations across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"We are in the height of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season which runs from August 15 to October 15 and is known historically as having the greatest chance of hurricane formation. This drill emphasized the importance of adjusting our shelter opening procedures to now include COVID-19 testing and screening,” said VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen. “These new measures add additional time to process individuals but are designed to reduce the chance of COVID-19 being brought into a shelter,” said Director Jaschen.

“With support from the American Red Cross, masks and social distancing are also enforced at shelters, which unfortunately reduces the number of individuals permitted in a shelter. Additionally, we developed and practiced procedures that provide actions in case someone exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive. These procedures would involve temporary quarantine, notifying the Department of Health, and arranging transportation to a non-congregate shelter,” said Director Jaschen.

“While we are emphasizing sheltering at home, with neighbors, and with friends, there may be occasions when the threat to the Territory is so great that Governor [Albert] Bryan will announce shelter openings. When that time comes, we are prepared to safely and effectively open shelters," said Director Jaschen.

The concepts used in the exercise would relate to evacuation shelters as well on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island. Besides Human Services, VITEMA, the American Red Cross, VITRAN, the Guard, VIPD, and VOAD, exercise participants included:

• The Virgin Islands Department of Health, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, the Virgin Islands Department of Justice and the Virgin Islands Department of Education.

As hurricane season approaches its peak, stay alert, review your family’s emergency plans, and understand your planning may be different this year because of the need to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Discuss the Department of Health’s latest guidance on COVID-19 and how it may affect your hurricane planning. Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies, masks and pet supplies in your disaster supply kit for up to 10 days.

Sign up for Alert VI to receive emergency information. VITEMA’s alert system is available in English and Spanish and provides real-time notifications for up to five addresses within the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A volunteer acting as an evacuee checks in with the Virgin Islands National Guard during an evacuation shelter drill at D.C. Canegata Recreation Center on St. Croix. The drill focused on validating the territory’s capability of opening shelters, initial operations, and closing shelters in a pandemic environment. FEMA/Eric Adams

A volunteer role playing an evacuee looks to register at the D.C. Canegata Recreation Center shelter during an evacuation shelter drill. Members of the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster role played evacuees during the field exercise. FEMA/Eric Adams

gina.callaghan Mon, 08/30/2021 - 17:06

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Louisiana

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Louisiana to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Ida beginning on Aug. 26, 2021 and continuing.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal affected by Hurricane Ida in Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes. Assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, is authorized for 100% cost share for 30 days. All other assistance is at 75% federal cost share.

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

John E. Long has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.

mashana.davis Mon, 08/30/2021 - 04:33

Federal Agencies Stand Ready for Hurricane Ida Response

WASHINGTON -- As Hurricane Ida made landfall on Sunday afternoon, areas along the Gulf Coast experienced life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds and high amounts of rainfall.  FEMA, along with our federal, state, tribal and local partners, as well as non-government agencies and private sector entities, remain fully postured to support impacted states and tribes to fulfill identified requirements.

FEMA stands ready to support local, state and tribal emergency responders with ongoing life-safety and emergency efforts. FEMA fulfilled a request for a tribal liaison who is deployed and working at the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana’s emergency operations center, and the agency's Regional Tribal Liaisons are also coordinating with seven tribal nations across the impacted areas.

"This is an extremely dangerous storm.  Our concern is to ensure that people are keeping themselves and their families safe and are aware of the changing conditions surrounding them," said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. 

"We are highly concerned about the post-storm life-safety and emergency measures that may be needed after these intense rains and life-threatening storm surge and flash floods. There are search and rescue resources already in place from the state as well as some additional federal assets."

Stay in place at this time. Gulf Coast residents should listen to local officials. Forecasters predict catastrophic weather impacts with expected high storm surge and large areas of power outages.

If you did not evacuate, find a safe location to ride out the storm. Avoid enclosed areas where you may become trapped, such as an attic.

Stay informed. Individuals in Louisiana can text IDA to 67283 for storm updates from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness or visit GOHSEP (la.gov). Individuals in Alabama should follow the guidance of local officials or visit ema.alabama.gov/. For storm updates in Mississippi, visit Hurricane Ida – MEMA (msema.org).

Generator safety. Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.

Additional Federal Partner Response

Currently, 22 interagency partners are working in coordination at FEMA's National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C., to support the planning, preparedness and response efforts needed in Louisiana and Mississippi, and any other states impacted by Hurricane Ida.  The federal partner planning and response is now shifting to search and rescue, sustaining food and water,  sheltering, along with power and water restoration.

FEMA has shipped more than 3.5 million meals, 2.5 million liters of water and 139,000 tarps, with millions more meals and water on order. The agency has also shipped more than 185 generators to the affected areas.

There are 16 Urban Search and Rescue teams with more than 950 personnel deployed to begin search and rescue operations as needed. In addition, the Louisiana National Guard is activated and has staged high-water vehicles, boats, engineer work teams and other deployable resources. From across the country, more than 3,500 additional National Guard members have been deployed to the affected region.

The American Red Cross is working with local officials from Texas to Florida to assess and open shelters as needed. Louisiana and Mississippi have shelter capacity for thousands seeking refuge.  If someone needs an evacuation shelter, call your local 2-1-1 or look for shelter locations or your phone device in the Red Cross app. 

The U.S. Coast Guard's top priority remains the safety of the public and response personnel.  Post-storm, when weather permits, response operations will be focused on lifesaving, search and rescue, flood response operations and restoration of the Marine Transportation System, with a focus on critical ports.

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) team is deployed for power restoration and management of flood-fighting supplies and equipment.

FEMA activated several mutual-aid agreements for ambulances and emergency medical service providers for post-storm evacuation support, as needed.

If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. For anyone going to a community or group shelter, remember to follow the latest recommendations for COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FEMA is fully operational in the COVID-19 environment, and the appropriate safety measures remain a priority to protect responders and residents from the virus.

Additional post-storm safety tips can be found on Ready.gov and Listo.gov.

mashana.davis Mon, 08/30/2021 - 01:19

ICYMI -- President Biden, FEMA Administrator Prioritize Life Safety as Hurricane Ida Makes Landfall

WASHINGTON -- President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. briefed the media earlier today on federal agencies’ preparedness and response efforts on Hurricane Ida, after receiving an update briefing at FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center. Life safety is FEMA’s main priority as dangerous wind, storm surge and flooding continue to threaten the Gulf Coast. The President urged those in the storm’s path to take it seriously.

“The storm is life-threatening, and its devastation is likely to be immense. Everyone should listen to the instructions of state and local officials,” warned the President. He went on to speak directly to those in the hurricane’s path.

 

 

“To the people on the Gulf Coast, I want you to know that we are praying for the best, planning and prepared for the worst.”

 

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined Fox News today to discuss some of FEMA’s preparations and priorities.

 

 

“Our most important concern as we go into the post-storm is life-safety. We anticipate there will be some water rescues that will need to happen,” said Administrator Criswell. “There are search and rescue resources already in place from the state as well as some additional federal assets. We want to take care of those people getting caught in the flooding, storm surge and in the hospital system.”

 

Later this evening Administrator Criswell joined NPR and addressed concerns about hospital preparations in the impacted areas.

 

“We have been working with Louisiana to help relieve some of the stress that they were experiencing in the hospitals as a result of COVID. So what that means is we do have some additional personnel that are in the area supporting these hospitals right now. But we are also surging in,” the Administrator said. “What’s in the area right now are additional ambulances, both ground ambulances and air ambulances, so we can move patients from one hospital to another within the state. But we’re also making plans to evacuate patients out of state if necessary.”

 

FEMA’s Acting Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery, David Bibo, spoke on MSNBC about the dangers of Hurricane Ida.

 

 

 

“Hurricane Ida is a very dangerous storm that made landfall, with 150-mile-an-hour winds in Port Fourchon, La. It’s a very dangerous storm that people throughout southeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi need to take extremely seriously right now,” said Bibo. 

 

“Heed the words of the mayor, the governor and other local officials who are telling folks to hunker down to stay inside, don't take any risks. If you still have power, make sure you plug your phone in, make sure you are charging your devices, filling up the bathtub with water so you can flush the toilet and do other essential things. Those critical protective actions are really important right now.”

 

Bibo went on to describe the extensive preparations FEMA made ahead of the storm.

 

“We have been positioning [assets] in support of the states of Louisiana and Mississippi for days, moving specialized teams like search and rescue, incident management assistance teams, power restoration assessment teams and supplies like meals, water, generators, tarps, cots to be able to support Louisiana and Mississippi teams as soon as it's safe to do so.” 

 

On CNN, Mr. Bibo underscored the instructions FEMA received during the President’s visit

 

 

 

"The President's message was clear as a bell to the FEMA team, which was lean forward and do everything you can to support the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and anyone else affected by Hurricane Ida. We've been pre-positioning for days throughout the projected area of impact."

 

For more information on federal Hurricane Ida preparedness and response visit Hurricane Ida | FEMA.gov.

 

zella.campbell Mon, 08/30/2021 - 00:12