You are here
Feed aggregator
Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Okmulgee and Pottawatomie Counties
OKLAHOMA CITY – Joint federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are now open in Okmulgee and Pottawatomie counties to help survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 2-8.
Survivors from any of the seven designated counties can meet face to face with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) specialists to get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and have their questions about federal disaster assistance answered at the center.
The seven designated counties are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa.
The Disaster Recovery Centers are open at the following locations:
Okmulgee County
Trinity Baptist Church
830 West Ozark St.
Morris, OK 74445
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday.
Closed on Sunday.
Pottawatomie County
Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center
1700 W. Independence St.
Shawnee, OK 74804
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday.
Closed on Sunday.
The recovery centers will follow COVID-19 precautions. Masks are required for employees, volunteers and survivors.
Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs (under Disaster Resources, select Talk to FEMA in Person). Active Disaster Recovery Center locations and hours are available FEMA.gov/DRC.
Carmen.Castro Tue, 07/26/2022 - 19:37Wright County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Wright County, Minn., on Aug. 2, 2022, from 5 – 7 p.m. CT. The open house will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1% -annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within county, and offer information that public officials may use to guide development in the floodplain.
Experts at the open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process in Wright County. The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps can also be reviewed at the meeting.
Once the maps become effective, they will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Wright County—Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: Aug. 2, 2022, 5–7 p.m. CT
WHERE: Wright County Government Center 3650 Braddock Ave. NE, Suite 1105 Buffalo, MN 55313
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 07/26/2022 - 19:27President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for U.S. Virgin Islands
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the territory in U.S. Virgin Islands to supplement the territory’s response efforts to the emergency conditions resulting from a water shortage and health impact from unprecedented sargassum seagrass influx beginning on July 15, 2022, and continuing.
The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures. This is authorized under Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to save lives; to protect property, public health and safety; and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided for a period of 90 days for the island of St. Croix.
Patrick Cornbill has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.
amy.ashbridge Mon, 07/25/2022 - 21:15FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Oak Fire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combatting the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County.
On July 22, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 1,540 homes in and around Midpines. The fire also threatened community water infrastructure, power transmission and distribution lines, cell towers, and a fire station.
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, 07/25/2022 - 14:13Economic Recovery Webinars Planned for Small Businesses in Western Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The U.S. Economic Development Administration in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering a series of economic recovery webinars for small businesses in Western Kentucky on July 26, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9.
These webinars are free and open to all, including those whose business was not affected by the disaster.
Creative Financing to Strengthen Small Businesses: Are you a start-up, new or seasoned small business? Don’t miss the upcoming creative financing webinar for small businesses in Western Kentucky. In this webinar, which will also be of interest to organizations assisting businesses, you will learn about specific financing opportunities from federal and community-based partners, eligibility and application opportunities, and build connections for one-on-one engagement.
- When: Tuesday, July 26, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CDT
- Registration (free): https://4630ky.econrsf.info/webinar-registration.html
Technical Assistance for Resilient Small Businesses and Start-ups: Looking for a boost to help advance your business goals? Join us for this informative webinar about opportunities for entrepreneurs starting new business ventures to access expertise, and other support from the Small Business Development Center. You’ll also hear about best practices in business continuity to help make your business less vulnerable to shocks. Federal and regional partners will share how they assist businesses like yours.
- When: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CDT
- Registration (free): https://4630ky.econrsf.info/webinar-registration.html
Best Practices in Community Development and Redevelopment: As communities recover from the 2021 tornadoes, you may be faced with a myriad of development and redevelopment choices that could affect your community for the next 50 to 100 years. In this webinar, you will hear from federal experts and national non-profit organizations on best practices to help inspire your decisions.
- When: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CDT
- Registration (free): https://4630ky.econrsf.info/webinar-registration.html
If you have questions about these webinar opportunities, contact Brian Lombard, blombard@eda.gov, (202) 893-4435.
For information on Kentucky’s recovery from the tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4630. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
johanna.strickland Fri, 07/22/2022 - 17:44Utility Cooperative Awarded $1.5 Million for 2021 Tornado Damage
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Commonwealth of Kentucky and FEMA have approved $1,589,191 to reimburse utility cooperative Big Rivers Electric Corporation for expenses resulting from the mid-December 2021 tornadoes, which damaged power lines and conductors affecting 56.7 miles of transmission line.
The Henderson County-based cooperative, which sits on the Ohio River across from Evansville, Ind., provides wholesale electric power and services to three distribution cooperative members across 22 counties in western Kentucky.
The Dec. 10-11 tornadoes damaged 27 metal and 10 wood power poles, 69 insulators and 15,600 feet of conductor in Ohio County. Funding from FEMA’s Public Assistance program covers labor, replacement of the equipment, materials and contracts for in-kind repairs.
FEMA’s cost for the project is $1,430,271 for work completed Dec. 10 to Jan. 14.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants for state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to reimburse the eligible cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and facility restoration.
Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, federal reimbursement for eligible Public Assistance projects shall not be less than 90% of total eligible costs. Typically, the federal cost share is 75%. The federal share is paid directly to the commonwealth to disburse to agencies, local governments and the nonprofit organizations that incurred costs.
For information on Kentucky’s recovery from the tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4630. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
johanna.strickland Fri, 07/22/2022 - 15:44FEMA Awards Vermont Almost $1.8 Million For COVID Testing Site Support
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $1.8 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse the costs of providing wraparound services to testing sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1,786,777 Public Assistance grant will go to the Vermont Agency of Human Services for providing wraparound services to support testing locations across the state, including employees and visitors at state buildings; inmates, staff, and visitors at correctional facilities; students, staff, and visitors at public and non-profit schools; residents, staff, and visitors at non-profit long-term care facilities; and staff, campers, and visitors at public and non-profit summer camps.
Among the costs covered were:
- Facility rent/lease costs;
- Postage and delivery of the test vials and specimens;
- Tech equipment to set up testing sites;
- Cleaning services and cleaning supplies for the test sites;
- Materials and supplies used at test sites and
- Contractor labor costs associated with running test sites from the contractor, CIC Health
“FEMA is pleased to assist Vermont with these costs,” said FEMA Region I Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”
adrien.urbani Wed, 07/20/2022 - 14:08FEMA Awards More Than $1.1 Million to Stamford for Tropical Storm Isaias Recovery Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1.1 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the City of Stamford for the costs of removing debris after Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020.
The city will receive a total of $1,127,838 in federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program to reimburse it for the costs of cleaning up debris after the Aug. 4, 2020 storm, which spawned high winds across the state and an EF1 tornado in Westport.
One person was killed in Connecticut by a falling tree, while approximately 750,000 residents were left without power. Another person later died from a chainsaw accident while clearing downed trees.
Stamford used both city workers and some contract services to pick up 13,095 cubic yards of vegetative debris, which was hauled to two temporary staging sites before being hauled to final disposal sites. The debris removal was performed between Aug. 4, 2020 and January 13, 2021.
FEMA has awarded nearly $35 million in Public Assistance grants to state and local governments for the disaster to date.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to reimburse the City of Stamford for the costs incurred recovering from Tropical Storm Isaias,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Quickly removing debris to re-open transportation routes and commerce is a key part of a successful recovery.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
adrien.urbani Wed, 07/20/2022 - 14:06
Ross County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a virtual Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Ross County, Ohio, on July 26, 2022, from 5 – 7 p.m. E.T. The open house will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county, and offer information that public officials may use to permit development in the floodplain.
Experts at the virtual open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process in Ross County. The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps can also be reviewed at the meeting.
Once the maps become effective, they will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Ross County— virtual Flood Map Information Open House meeting for the public
WHEN: July 26, 2022, 5–7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Visit www.zoom.com and enter the following meeting ID and passcode. This requires registering for a free Zoom account or clicking the following link: https://stantec.zoom.us/j/94836903698?pwd=dkpEZDRPQjhzU2NISCtxYSsxYm9ZZz09 (Meeting ID: 948 3690 3698 | Password: 668458)
(301) 715-8592 (312) 626-6799 (646) 876-9923
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 07/19/2022 - 14:40Morrow County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a virtual Flood Map Information Open House on July 25, 2022, for communities in Morrow County, Ohio from 5 – 7 p.m. ET. The open house will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within areas of the county and offer information that public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain.
Once the maps become effective, they will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Morrow County—virtual Flood Map Information Open House meeting for the public
WHEN: July 25, 2022, 5–7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Visit www.zoom.com and enter the following meeting ID and passcode. This requires registering for a free Zoom account or clicking the following link: https://stantec.zoom.us/j/97655176137?pwd=bHg0cWFuSHZpaE4vMG00cCt6U0kyUT09 (Meeting ID: 976 5517 6137, Password: Morrow)
You may also call into the meeting using one of the following telephone numbers and entering the meeting ID and passcode shown above. Long-distance charges may apply.
(301) 715-8592 (312) 626-6799 (646) 876-9923
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 07/19/2022 - 14:32Disaster Recovery Center Open in Muskogee County
OKLAHOMA CITY – A joint federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Muskogee County to help survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 2-8.
Survivors from any of the seven designated counties can meet face to face with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) specialists to get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and have their questions about federal disaster assistance answered at the center.
The seven designated counties are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa.
The Disaster Recovery Center is open at the following location:
Muskogee County
Harris-Jobe School
2809 N. Country Club Road
Muskogee, OK 74403
The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday. The DRC is closed on Sundays.
The recovery center will follow COVID-19 precautions. Masks are required for employees, volunteers and survivors.
Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs (under Disaster Resources, select Talk to FEMA in Person). Active Disaster Recovery Center locations and hours are available FEMA.gov/DRC.
Carmen.Castro Tue, 07/19/2022 - 14:18FEMA COVID-19 Funeral assistance still available
San Juan, Puerto Rico – FEMA urges those who paid for funeral expenses due to the coronavirus to call FEMA and apply for assistance TODAY. To date, more than 2,471 applicants in Puerto Rico, have already registered.
“In Puerto Rico, FEMA has already approved over $6.8 million to help families with funeral expenses, but there are families that may be eligible to receive this assistance. We are encouraging every person who covered funeral expenses to call today and apply”, said Idamis De Jesus, Individual Assistance lead of FEMA Caribbean Area Office in PR.
Call 1-844-684-6333 to apply for FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance. FEMA is only accepting applications via phone call. The phoneline is available from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.
Once registered, FEMA will send the applicant a Request for Information (RFI) which outlines all the documentation needed to process the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application. For further information, applicants can also visit the frequently asked questions section in FEMA’s website at: FEMA.gov/funeral-assistance/faq.
FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
# # #
yuisa.rios Tue, 07/19/2022 - 12:17Allocation for Storm Shutters to Support Services Provided in 6 Municipalities
FEMA funds will go to municipal facilities, fine arts buildings and senior services homes
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – For over 25 years, José Feliciano's work as director of the Ryder housing facilities has focused on a wide variety of services for the elderly and children with disabilities who live there, but for him, the most important thing they need is to be accompanied and listened to. But for him, the most important thing these people need is to be accompanied and listened to, “To feel part of a community: we all win with that,” he said.
This is why common areas are very important for residents. When natural events happen, for example, neighbors gather in these rooms and spend time together. The installation of storm shutters in these areas offers greater safety for residents during a period of high winds. In this way, the community remains united at times when isolation should not be an option.
Storm shutters are the first line of defense and mitigation against a storm. In addition to providing protection for doors and windows, they reduce pressure on walls from high winds.
The lack of shutters in structures such as community centers or public service facilities represents a danger to the services they provide, in addition to limiting their availability during an emergency situation. This is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the public and private sector to provide funding for this important mitigation measure.
Through the Hazard Mitigation Grants Program (HMGP), the agency recently contributed over $877,000 for nine storm shutter projects in several towns. The facilities to benefit range from municipal facilities where services are provided to citizens to basketball courts where people can exercise.
“By preventing further damage in the event of a future disaster, participants will be able to benefit from continued service at these facilities, while managers can have relief from risk reduction and focus on the important services they provide,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Jose G. Baquero.
The Camuy City Hall is another structure that offers a diversity of services for its residents and visitors. In addition to the governmental services offered at city hall, the building also serves as the command center for coordination of emergency services. With a total of $213,872 in funds, the municipality will be able to install the necessary storm shutters to mitigate the risks posed by a storm and continue services to the communities.
Likewise, the Municipality of Hormigueros has over $129,500 in approved funds for the installation of storm shutters for the Julio Pérez Irizarry Center for Multiple Activities and Services for the Elderly where social, educational, recreational and nutritional services are provided to nearly 180 people to improve their quality of life.
In addition to the center, the Hormigueros Fine Arts building also has over $64,000 for the installation of its storm shutters. The Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism, located in this building, organizes the municipality's cultural activities and provides workshops in visual arts, dance, history, literature, music and theater for community residents.
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, 07/18/2022 - 11:09Regional Leaders Named to Federal Wildfire Commission
The Biden-Harris administration selected seven representatives from within FEMA Region 10 states and tribes to serve on the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission.
FEMA, representing the Department of Homeland Security, and the Departments of Interior and Agriculture have announced the selection of members to the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. Of the 36 non-federal members selected, seven are located within FEMA Region 10 states and tribes.
As an increasing number of communities face wildfires each year and many continue to struggle to recover from recent active wildfire season, the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission represents a whole of government approach to tackling the wildfire crisis. Members will provide a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to develop ways to address the growing threat of wildfires across the country.
Commission members represent federal agencies, state, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector. They are tasked with developing federal policy recommendations to prevent, suppress, manage, and recover from wildland fires as well develop recommendations to more cost effectively meet aerial firefighting equipment needs through 2030. These recommendations will be submitted to Congress within a year of their first meeting.
The following members are located within FEMA Region 10:
Tim Cook, Washington State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Washington (seat: State Hazard Mitigation (alternate))
Cody Desautel, Natural Resource Director, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington (seat: Forestry/Industry Representative)
Gary Jackson, Tribal Vice-Chairman, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Oregon (seat: Tribal Government Representative (alternate))
Elizabeth (Eli) King, Washington State Energy Management Director, Washington (seat: State Department of Energy or similar State agency)
Brian Kittler, Senior Director of Forest Restoration, American Forests, Oregon (seat: Forest Stewardship and Reforestation (alternate))
Kelly Martin, President of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, Idaho (seat: Wildland Firefighter)
Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon (seat: State Fire Response)
Details on all commission members are available at the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission website.
The Commission was initially established in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) with a call for nominations issued in March 2022. 500 applications were received, and 36 non-federal members were selected (18 primary and 18 alternates).
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 10 Office of External Affairs:
- News Desk at (425) 487-4610 or FEMA-R10-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov
- Congressional Affairs at FEMA-R10-CongQ@fema.dhs.gov
- Tribal Affairs at FEMA-R10-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov
- Private Sector at FEMA-R10-CommunityPartners@fema.dhs.gov
Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn and visit FEMA.gov for more information.
FEMA MissionHelping people before, during, and after disasters.
mary.j.edmon Fri, 07/15/2022 - 20:56Emergency preparedness exercise scheduled for the North Anna Power Station
PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for communities around the North Anna Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of July 18, 2022, to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.
“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.
FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 4:00 p.m. on July 21, 2022. The meeting will be conducted in a virtual format via Zoom. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC. Access to the public meeting is provided below:
Join ZoomGov Meeting https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1602088576
Meeting ID: 160 208 8576 Passcode: 786201
At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:
MaryAnn Tierney
Regional Administrator
FEMA Region III
615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.
REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.
Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.
###
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 Fri, 07/15/2022 - 20:32FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the Commonwealth of Virginia
PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for communities around the North Anna Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of July 18, 2022, to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.
“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.
FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 4:00 p.m. on July 21, 2022. The meeting will be conducted in a virtual format via Zoom. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC. Access to the public meeting is provided below:
Join ZoomGov Meeting https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1602088576
Meeting ID: 160 208 8576 Passcode: 786201
At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:
MaryAnn Tierney
Regional Administrator
FEMA Region III
615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.
REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.
Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.
###
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 Fri, 07/15/2022 - 20:27ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Meets with Israeli Mayoral Delegation to Discuss Emergency Management
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with a delegation of Israeli mayors in Brooklyn, New York, Thursday to discuss the importance of local emergency management capacity and the role of elected officials in supporting an effective disaster response and recovery, especially immediately following an event.
This meeting was in support of the December 2021 Memorandum of Understanding between FEMA and Israel’s National Emergency Management Authority. The first-of-its-kind Israeli Executive Education delegation followed Administrator Criswell’s meeting with European crisis managers earlier this year, further underscoring the importance of partnerships with the international disaster community.
“Disasters are universal and are best managed when we come together, both here at home and abroad. We deeply value our partnership with Israel and our other international partners, as we collectively work to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience across our nations,” said Administrator Criswell. “By broadening our knowledge of mitigation and preparedness techniques, we are better poised to give our respective communities the help they need and deserve. We are face-to-face with a global, growing threat landscape, and we can only meet the challenges before us, together.”
The Israeli delegation visit is part of an ongoing bilateral relationship agreement between the United States and Israel. In May, FEMA leadership traveled Israel to and observed their National Level Exercise. The U.S.-Israel emergency management partnership enhances each nation’s response capabilities at all levels of government.
Earlier this week, the Israeli delegation had a similar opportunity, touring FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in Washington, D.C. The six visiting Israeli mayors also went to FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where they participated in tabletop disaster exercises. The delegation concluded its trip in New York City, meeting with the New York City’s Office of Emergency Management.
WASHINGTON -- Six city mayors from Israel visited FEMA headquarters as part of the first of its kind Executive Education delegation. The mayors received a tour of the National Response Coordination Center and learned about how FEMA supports disaster preparedness and response. (FEMA Photo)
EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Six Israeli mayors spent two days at the U.S. Fire Administration's National Emergency Training Center and FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute learning about crisis management and incident stabilization. They also took part in a tabletop exercise to learn about enhancing cities’ disaster response and recovery. (FEMA Photo)
NEW YORK -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell meets with the Israeli mayoral delegation in Brooklyn, New York, to discuss emergency management and kick off their final day in the United States. (FEMA Photo)
mayshaunt.gary Fri, 07/15/2022 - 17:18FEMA Announces Programs Included in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to Increase Equity, Community Resilience
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA released an initial list of programs covered under the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water and other investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened and underserved. There are four covered programs within FEMA, each of which advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice.
President Biden is committed to securing environmental justice and spurring economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and health care.
Under Administrator Deanne Criswell’s leadership, FEMA has been integral to fulfilling the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to advancing environmental justice and delivering on the President’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, including the critical Justice40 Initiative.
“The Justice40 Initiative strengthens FEMA’s commitment to ensure quick and equitable distribution of funds and benefits to the communities who need it most,” said Administrator Criswell. “We know that socially vulnerable communities bear the brunt of climate change and are more likely to be impacted by the associated extreme weather events. Thanks to President Biden and the Justice40 Initiative, FEMA will be able to better serve these communities by making them more resilient when disaster strikes.”
“Disasters don’t discriminate, yet their impacts are always felt the hardest by vulnerable and underserved communities. With the growing threat of climate change increasing the devastation caused by hurricanes and other disasters, we have to act in order to protect communities throughout our nation,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks. “By implementing President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative across critical resilience programs, we will build on the work FEMA is doing to ensure more equitable outcomes when it comes to community preparedness and resilience.”
In total, hundreds of federal programs, including programs that were funded or created in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are being reimagined and transformed to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities through the Justice40 Initiative.
Programs in FEMA covered by the Justice40 Initiative include the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance competitive annual grant programs, which both provide Hazard Mitigation Assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments to make communities more resilient from natural hazards. Also included are FEMA Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning and the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, which help to ensure that communities are prepared for disasters.
Through the Flood Mitigation Assistance program, the Justice40 Initiative also covers the Swift Current Initiative, which is the first FEMA initiative funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen national preparedness and resilience. The Swift Current Initiative aims to better align the delivery of flood mitigation funding to provide improved support to disaster survivors by expediting Flood Mitigation Assistance awards following a disaster, rather than through an annual grant application cycle.
The initial list of announced federal covered programs can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/.
mayshaunt.gary Fri, 07/15/2022 - 15:36The DOE and FEMA Host PR100 Six-Month Progress Update Webinar July 21
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –─ Join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) project team conducting the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transition to 100% Renewable Energy Study (PR100) for a public webinar and Q&A on July 21, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 pm E.T. They will present the progress made at the six-month mark of this important stakeholder-informed study and the critical information it provides for Puerto Rico’s power sector recovery and deployment of renewable energy.
DOE is committed to strengthening Puerto Rico’s grid resilience and advancing new initiatives to enhance their energy future,” said the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Gil Bindewald. “DOE, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are leveraging the expertise and world-class capabilities of our national labs to conduct the PR100 study, a community-driven and locally tailored pathways to help Puerto Rico meet their renewable energy goals, improve power sector resilience, and increase access to more affordable energy and cleaner air.”
Puerto Rico committed to meeting its electricity needs with 100% renewable energy by 2050 in the Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act of 2019 (Act 17). Various technology solutions, including renewable generation, energy storage, distributed generation, and energy efficient loads, can be deployed to meet Puerto Rico’s energy targets for end-use electrification and phase-out of fossil fuels. The robust modeling and analysis of the national labs can measure the impacts and tradeoffs of different pathways through 2050 to help the people of Puerto Rico make informed choices. The study is led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and convenes subject matter experts across six national laboratories.
Since PR100 was launched last February, the project team has met monthly with energy sector stakeholders to discuss considerations such as energy justice, land use, data inputs, and definitions of resilience, as well as desired project outputs. From this insight, the team defined four potential ways, or scenarios, in which Puerto Rico can meet its near-term renewable energy targets until reaching the ultimate goal of 100% by 2050. The primary distinction between the four scenarios is varying levels of distributed solar photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage, and all will result in increased energy reliability and resilience. The next phase of the study will focus on modeling the feasibility, impacts, and tradeoffs of each scenario.
PR100 is supported by FEMA through an interagency agreement with DOE’s Office of Electricity to address the need for resilient, reliable, and affordable energy in every city and community in Puerto Rico. The results—including data, visualizations, and models—will help Puerto Rico’s energy systems stakeholders make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and strengthen confidence in future investments and their alignment with Puerto Rico’s renewable energy goals.
The primary vehicle for community feedback in PR100 is an advisory group made up of more than 80 Puerto Rico energy system stakeholders. They provide invaluable expertise and perspectives from academia, community-based and environmental organizations, private solar and storage developers, and sectors. The Hispanic Federation of Puerto Rico has also joined the project team to serve as meeting facilitator and to advise on effective community engagement.
The webinar on July 21, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. E.T., will detail the frameworks for four clean energy scenarios that would achieve Puerto Rico’s goals for resilience and 100% renewable energy. This event is open to the public and all are welcome to register to attend and participate in a Q&A with the PR100 team. Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided, as well as closed captioning. Leadership from DOE, FEMA, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide a progress update on Puerto Rico recovery work and their plans for the future.
For more regular updates on the PR100 study, join the online community for PR Energy Recovery and Resilience. Members receive updates from DOE and the multi-lab project team and connect with each other to implement the pathway to 100% renewable energy. Register here to join the community, hosted on Mobilize.
frances.acevedo-pico Fri, 07/15/2022 - 10:54President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Minnesota
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Minnesota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding April 22 – June 15, 2022.
Public assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under public assistance, in Beltrami, Clearwater, Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau and St. Louis counties; and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation and the White Earth Nation.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Brian F. Schiller has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
mayshaunt.gary Thu, 07/14/2022 - 19:55Pages
