Rutland Disaster Recovery Center to Close September 1

The Rutland Disaster Recovery Center will close permanently at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. The center is currently open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday).

The center is at this location:

Asa Bloomer Building 
88 Merchants Row, Suite 330
Rutland, VT 05701

Other recovery centers remain open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday):

Waterbury Armory
294 Armory Drive
Waterbury, VT 05676

Barre Auditorium
16 Auditorium Hill
Barre, VT 05641

Barton Memorial Building 
17 Village Square 
Barton, VT 05822

Springfield Health Center 
100 River St. 
Springfield, VT 05156

Northern VT University -- McClelland Hall 
131 College Hill Road 
Johnson, VT 05656

Vermont College of Fine Arts University 
36 College St. 
Montpelier, VT 05602

Cabot Town Hall 
3084 Main St. 
Cabot, VT 05647

Wardsboro Town Hall 
99 Main St. 
Wardsboro, VT 05355

FEMA operates Disaster Recovery Centers based on where they are needed most. FEMA works closely with state and municipal partners in determining those sites. Once a location begins to see a significant drop in application visits, FEMA and the state coordinate on determining the closing date.

All centers are accessible to people with disabilities and access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology equipment. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish). 

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be at the center to explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits, and provide information about rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.

You don’t need to visit a DRC to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. The deadline to apply for federal assistance is Sept. 12, 2023.

kwei.nwaogu Wed, 08/30/2023 - 18:00

Springfield Disaster Recovery Center to Close September 2

The Springfield Disaster Recovery Center will close permanently at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. The center is currently open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday).

The center is at this location:

Springfield Health Center
100 River St.
Springfield, VT 05156

Other recovery centers remain open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday):

Waterbury Armory
294 Armory Drive
Waterbury, VT 05676

Barre Auditorium
16 Auditorium Hill
Barre, VT 05641

Barton Memorial Building 
17 Village Square 
Barton, VT 05822

Northern VT University -- McClelland Hall  
131 College Hill Road 
Johnson, VT 05656

Vermont College of Fine Arts University  
36 College St., 
Montpelier, VT 05602

Cabot Town Hall  
3084 Main St. 
Cabot, VT 05647

Wardsboro Town Hall  
99 Main St. 
Wardsboro, VT 05355

FEMA operates Disaster Recovery Centers based on where they are needed most. FEMA works closely with state and municipal partners in determining those sites. Once a location begins to see a significant drop in application visits, FEMA and the state coordinate on determining the closing date.

All centers are accessible to people with disabilities and access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology equipment. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish). 

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be at the center to explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits, and provide information about rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.

You don’t need to visit a DRC to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. The deadline to apply for federal assistance is Sept. 12, 2023.

kwei.nwaogu Wed, 08/30/2023 - 17:50

Biden-Harris Administration Urges Public to Stay on Alert, Stands Ready to Respond to Hurricane Idalia

WASHINGTON -- Under President Biden’s leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized 1,500 federal personnel, more than 540 Urban Search and Rescue personnel and three Disaster Survivor Assistance Strike Teams to support states in the path of Hurricane Idalia. FEMA and the federal government continue to encourage residents affected by the storm to stay on alert, listen to their local officials and be aware of continuing risks. Residents in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina should prepare for hurricane conditions into Thursday.

FEMA is prepared with pre-positioned response personnel and assets and is staying in close contact with the states’ leadership to quickly meet needs as they are identified. Prior to the hurricane’s landfall, FEMA staged commodities and critical supplies, including more than 1.3 million meals and 1.6 million liters of water that are available, pending requests from states. 

The American Red Cross has pre-positioned resources to support sheltering up to 20,000 survivors. USDA Food and Nutrition Services approved early issuance of September SNAP benefits to all households that receive benefits, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pre-positioned teams to support any power restoration needs. 

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has also connected with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to affirm the agency’s commitment to providing any help they need to respond to or recover from the effects of Hurricane Idalia. 

Many counties in Florida remain under evacuation orders. Florida evacuation shelters, including those for individuals with access or functional needs can be found on the state’s shelter status page. Additionally, anyone who needs a safe place to go can find information on the Red Cross shelter locator, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 800-733-2767.

Regardless of whether residents are in a shelter or not, assistance from voluntary organizations, state programs and federal assistance is available. There is no need to ride out the storm at home if it is not safe to do so.

The Florida National Guard is fully activated with 5,500 members available. The Florida State Assistance Information Line, 800-342-3557, is active and provides resources to help Floridians receive accurate information about the storm. 

Everyone in the forecast path of the storm should monitor their local news for updates, follow directions provided by their local officials and heed evacuation orders. High winds and flooding remain a threat to all states in Hurricane Idalia' path. 

For those who are currently experiencing wind and flooding, remember to check on your neighbors, plan for power outages and stay safe. It will be challenging for emergency responders to help during the brunt of the storm and rescue operations take time in flooding and high winds. 

While the full extent of Idalia’s damage will not be known for days, what we do know is that the danger is not over once the storm passes. The aftermath of Idalia can be just as deadly -- please stay aware of debris, floodwaters and hazards related to power outages.

Federal response to Hurricane Idalia

FEMA has fully stocked distribution warehouses with response commodities and teams ready to move assets at the request of the states. FEMA deployed personnel, including four Incident Management Assistance Teams and three Disaster Survivor Assistance Strike Teams. Mobile Emergency Response Support vehicles are in Florida to ensure communications capabilities. Additionally, a FEMA Disability Integration Advisor deployed to Region 4 in Atlanta is providing technical assistance, training and resources to ensure FEMA’s programs and services are accessible to, and available for, people with disabilities impacted by the disaster. 

Nine Urban Search and Rescue teams and the U.S. Coast Guard are on standby with boats and aircraft to assist search and rescue activities. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed teams and resources to assist the state with infrastructure, power assessment and temporary roofing requirements as needed.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Service Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response deployed medical and disaster management professionals to Florida to address the potential health impacts of Hurricane Idalia. These personnel include National Disaster Medical System health and medical task force members and pharmacists.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approved the Florida Department of Children and Families request for early issuance of September 2023 benefits to SNAP households that receive their benefits between Sept. 1-14 for 46 Florida counties.

As with all disasters, there will be those who are disproportionally affected by Idalia. FEMA remains committed to making sure all people have the information and assistance they need to recover.  

Non-profit partner support for Hurricane Idalia survivors

• Our non-profit partners are critical to meeting the immediate needs of survivors after disasters. 
• The Salvation Army has mobile feeding units staged in Lakeland, Florida, with additional teams on standby. 
• Team Rubicon has two route-clearance teams, pre-staged to clear roads for responders and survivors. Local Greyshirt volunteers are on the ground and in communication with community leaders to determine unmet needs when the storm makes landfall.
• The American Red Cross has 400 disaster responders and supplies in place and ready to respond immediately.  

Stay safe during Hurricane Idalia

If you are in an area that has been or is still being affected by the storm, be aware of continued risks. Residents and visitors in potentially affected areas should have a family emergency communications plan, keep their devices charged, ensure they are receiving emergency alerts and check on neighbors, especially those who are older adults or may need additional assistance. 

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, Florida activated its State Assistance Information Line (SAIL). This toll-free hotline provides additional resources to help Floridians receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Idalia. Florida residents can call 800-342-3557.

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 and are returning home, make sure local officials have deemed your area safe to return.

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.

Do not walk or wade in flood waters. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. It may also include dangerous wildlife.

If you have a flooded basement in your home, 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. Consider all downed lines live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.

Listen to officials and stay off the roads if told to do so. Evacuate if told to do so. If you did not evacuate, find a safe location to ride out the storm. Avoid enclosed areas, such as an attic, where you may become trapped by storm surge and flooding.

Evacuating -- listen to local officials and evacuate if you are told to do so and conditions are safe for travel. If you are evacuating, check on neighbors who may need assistance. 

Your National Flood Insurance Program policy will cover and reimburse certain actions you take to minimize damage to your home and belongings before a flood. 

For additional information on staying safe during and after disasters, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov. 

luther.wills-dudich Wed, 08/30/2023 - 14:56

Delaware Adopts FEMA-Approved Plan to Make State Stronger Against Disasters

PHILADELPHIA-- FEMA Region 3 and the state of Delaware are proud to announce the approval of Delaware’s 2023-2028 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).  The state Hazard Mitigation Plan outlines risks and vulnerabilities faced by Delawareans, but also offers ideas and recommendations for protecting and improving resilience in the state. 

By developing and adopting the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, Delaware communities are now eligible to receive certain types of FEMA assistance, such as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants, Public Assistance funds, and High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) funding. This allows federal funds to be directed to Delaware to protect people, their property, and the environment. The HMP was developed by the State Hazard Mitigation Council. The Council includes staff from state agencies, the University of Delaware, and representatives from Delaware counties and municipalities. 

One new goal in the HMP is evaluating all hazards for potential impacts to vulnerable populations. 

The HMP outlines twelve natural hazards that could impact the state of Delaware within the next five years. These hazards were identified through an evaluation of historical weather events and data from several sources that look at existing conditions and projections for future climate conditions and growth in the state. The plan also takes into consideration underserved and vulnerable populations in Delaware and discusses how climate change will exacerbate social vulnerabilities. The natural hazards identified include:

• Coastal Erosion
• Coastal Flooding
• Dam/Levee Failure Flooding
• Drought
• Earthquakes
• Extreme Temperatures
• Inland Flooding
• Local Earth Movement
• Severe Thunderstorms & Tornadoes
• Severe Winter Weather
• Tropical Cyclones
• Wildfire and Smoldering Fires 

Mitigating risk continues to be a priority for Delaware

In addition to considering future climate conditions, the hazard mitigation plan assess risks to Delaware’s economy, the natural environment, the built environment and most importantly, the people who live, work, and visit the state. The plan examines risk to hospitals, water treatment facilities, bridges, schools, power stations, and other critical facilities that keep Delaware going. In addition to critical facilities, the plan evaluates vulnerabilities to the cultural and historic resources in the state. 

Putting the plan into action

Delaware’s Hazard Mitigation Plan does not just include hazards and vulnerabilities – it outlines solutions to lessen the impact from a natural hazard or disaster. The mitigation strategy section of the Plan identifies specific projects and funding opportunities for cities, counties, and the state to make Delaware more resilient and improve the economic, social, and environmental health of the state.

Some high-priority projects outlined in the mitigation strategy include: 

• Protect and secure critical infrastructure and community lifelines to mitigate impacts from natural and manmade threats and make more resilient.
• Create and promote a statewide climate resiliency educational campaign.
• Assist local governments in developing strategies to protect wastewater treatment facilities from flooding. 
• Designate shoreline zones for adaptation action. 
• Fund projects to make hazardous dams safer.
• Enhance the power grid and energy infrastructure to accommodate the national push for electrical vehicles (EVs) and the possible charging surge during an evacuation.
• Identify sites that could serve as heating and cooling centers during extreme heat and cold events.

“I commend the state of Delaware and the many partners who came together to update this Hazard Mitigation Plan,” said FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “The holistic approach to evaluating risks and vulnerabilities puts the state on a path to a more resilient future and puts them in position to receive future funding from FEMA.” 

“This State Hazard Mitigation Plan update is one of the many steps our State is taking to reduce risk across Delaware,” said Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director A.J. Schall. “We are proud of the work that our team and partner agencies put into this plan to ensure we continue working together to tackle these complex issues.”

State Hazard Mitigation Plans are updated every five years. This current plan will be due for an update in 2028.  

###

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

erika.osullivan Wed, 08/30/2023 - 13:43

FEMA Reminds Vermont Residents to Apply for Assistance

Vermont residents affected by July’s severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides are reminded to apply for FEMA assistance.

If you had storm-related expenses and live in or own a business in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham or Windsor counties, you should apply as soon as possible. FEMA Assistance may provide grants to assist with your recovery, including temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related needs. The U.S. Small Business Administration may provide loans for your recovery, both for businesses and individual households.

To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

To apply in person, visit a Disaster Recovery Center, where FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration specialists can answer questions, help upload documents and refer you to available resources. Centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Sundays) at the following locations:

• Lamoille County: Northern VT University – McClelland Hall, 131 College Hill Road, Johnson, VT 05843
• Orleans County: Barton Memorial Building, 17 Village Square, Barton, VT 05822
• Rutland County: Asa Bloomer Building, 88 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701
• Washington County
  • Waterbury Armory, 294 Armory Drive, Waterbury, VT 05676
  • Barre Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill, Barre, VT 05641
  • Cabot Town Hall, 3084 Main St., Cabot, VT 05647
  • Vermont College of Fine Arts, 36 College St., Montpelier, VT 05602
• Windham County: Wardsboro Town Hall, 99 Main St., Wardsboro, VT 05355
• Windsor County: Springfield Health Center, 100 River St., Springfield, VT 05156

kwei.nwaogu Wed, 08/30/2023 - 01:22

FEMA Announces Nearly $3 Billion in Funding Selections to Drive Resilience to Climate Change, Extreme Weather Events

DENTON, Texas – On Monday, August 28, FEMA announced the selections for nearly $3 billion in climate resilience funding through two competitive grant programs to help communities across the nation enhance climate and disaster resiliency.

In FEMA Region 6, this includes 9 BRIC national competition selections for $120.5 million and 68 community-wide selections for $333.1 million in Flood Mitigation Assistance. These projects have met the basic eligibility requirements and will enter the next phase of the awards review process.

The nationwide funding includes $1.8 billion for critical resilience projects funded by the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) national competition and $642 million for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) community-scale flood mitigation projects. 

The top five primary hazard sources of the projects selected in the national competition include flooding, infrastructure failure, fire, drought, and dam or levee break hazards. 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

For the first time, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas were selected for BRIC awards for a combined total of $120.5 million in BRIC national competition selections. 

• Arkansas: $2,511,537 (1 project)
• Louisiana: $50,872,254 (2 projects)
• Texas: $67,129,048 (6 projects)

These are large mitigation projects and activities—six of which use nature-based solutions—to reduce natural hazard risks for states, local communities, tribes and territories. Nature-based solutions are sustainable planning, design, environmental management and engineering practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation and resilience.

The Danville School District in Arkansas plans to construct a safe room at their Elementary School Campus. The safe room will accommodate more than 1,100 faculty, staff and students. Currently the Danville School District has no protection for their students and staff during severe wind and tornado events and this project, constructed to meet the new State-wide Building Codes, will protect and save lives.

Another example is the construction of a regional stormwater detention facility for Edinburgh, Texas, located in Hidalgo County. Edinburgh experiences frequent flooding due to its flat terrain, low soil infiltration capacities, and intense rain events.  

Hidalgo County plans to excavate land, create a detention pond, widen existing drainage ditches, and install concrete pipes to provide 50-year flood protection. Through this nature-based solution, the proposed South Lateral Regional Detention Facility will reduce the depth of flooding and safeguard more than 5,700 residents that live in the county. 

Learn more about these and additional projects at the BRIC webpage. 

Flood Mitigation Assistance

Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas received Flood Mitigation Assistance selections for a total of $333.1 million. 

• Louisiana: $141,635,374 (45 projects)
• Oklahoma: $1,171,926 (1 project)
• Texas: $190,291,883 (22 projects)

This funding will go towards community-wide elevation, acquisitions and mitigation reconstruction of repetitively flood-damaged buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

In Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish plans to elevate 84 properties and demolish seven others to create green space and prevent future damage. 

In Oklahoma, Tulsa County plans to acquire and demolish four single-family residential structures in the floodplain that have flooded numerous times over the years. This is part of a comprehensive floodplain buyout program Tulsa is implementing to buy and demolish homes in Special Flood Hazard Areas. 

Learn more about these and additional projects at the Flood Mitigation Assistance webpage.  

Additional Information about the Funding

These are the final selections for this grant cycle bringing the total to nearly $3 billion. In May, FEMA announced $160 million in smaller-scale selections to support mitigation projects and planning, project scoping and the adoption and enforcement of hazard resistant building codes.

President Biden has continued to provide additional funding to FEMA’s annual resilience grant programs, increasing them from $700 million to $1.16 billion during his first year in office to nearly tripling it in the 2022 funding cycle, $900 million of which came from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The increased amount allows FEMA to diversify its geographic scope in funding selections and get more federal funds to communities needing it the most to become safer from the effects of climate change.

The law provides FEMA nearly $7 billion to invest in communitywide mitigation to proactively reduce their vulnerability to flood, hurricanes, drought, wildfires, extreme heat and other hazards.

alexa.brown Tue, 08/29/2023 - 20:03

Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Offices and Helpline Closed Monday September 4 in Observance of Labor Day

SANTA FE, N.M. -- The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims offices in Mora, Las Vegas and Santa Fe will be closed on Monday September 4, 2023, in observance of Labor Day.

The Claims Office Helpline will also be closed in observance of Labor Day. You are welcome to leave a voice message on the Helpline at (505) 995-7133 and we will return your call during normal business hours on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

For information regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn on notifications to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at  Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office | Facebook. 

Following the observance of Labor Day, the Claims Office and Claims Office Helpline will resume normal business operations and can be reached Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at (505) 995-7133.

candace.herring Tue, 08/29/2023 - 18:00

Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in St. Mary’s County, MD

PHILADELPHIA- FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for St. Mary's County, MD. Affected community members and partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period. 

The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Before the maps become final, community member and partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments. 

The 90-day appeal period will begin on or around August 31, 2023. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.

• An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. 
• Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
• If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.

The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local Certified Floodplain Manager, Valerie Caswell, at valerie.caswell@stmaryscountymd.gov. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer: CSLF Web Viewer, St. Mary's County, MD

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; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov. 

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Public Forum & Information

St. Mary’s County Government will be holding a public forum for Saint Mary’s County citizens affected by the proposed map amendment on September 13th, 2023 from 2-4 PM & 6-8 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650. Local government staff, along with FEMA officials, will be available to answer questions and provide information on the mapping process, appeal process, flood insurance and potential mitigation opportunities.

St. Mary’s County, MD Flood Mapping Milestones

• November 22, 2021 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• November 29, 2022 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• January 26, 2023 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• On or Around August 31, 2023 –Appeal Period starts.
• September 13, 2023 – Public Forum for affected Saint Mary’s County citizens. 
• August 2024* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.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

erika.osullivan Tue, 08/29/2023 - 17:38

FEMA Awards More Than $8 Million to Massachusetts Entities for COVID Costs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $8.4 million to three Massachusetts entities to reimburse them for various costs incurred responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Boston, FEMA will award $4.8 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Tufts Medical Center for the cost of overtime worked by its staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $4,768,199 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the teaching hospital in Boston affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine for the added costs associated with responding to the pandemic between January and September 2021.

During that time the medical center’s more than 2,000 budgeted employees worked 158,881 overtime hours to cope with the increased patient loads caused by the pandemic.

In Cambridge, FEMA will award more than $2.1 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Cambridge Public Health Commission and Cambridge Health Alliance for the cost of contracting for additional staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,133,560 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Cambridge Public Health Commission and Cambridge Health Alliance for the added costs associated with responding to the pandemic between April and June 2020.

During that time the Cambridge Health Alliance, a health network affiliated with Harvard Medical School and serving the communities north of Boston, increased staffing at its locations in Cambridge, Somerville, and Everett by contracting for nurses and other professionals in various roles.

A total of 60 contracted medical staff worked more than 18,000 hours for the network in emergency rooms, inpatient medical/surgical units, ICU and outpatient respiratory clinics.

In Lawrence, FEMA will award almost $1.5 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the City of Lawrence for the cost of providing test kits to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,488,738 Public Assistance grant will reimburse Lawrence for distributing test kits at 21 pop-up vaccination clinic sites in the city between January and June 2022.

The costs included purchasing materials, a canopy tent, colored key cable, economy ponchos, blue medium duty tarps and cable ties, as well as 114,652 COVID-19 antigen rapid home test kits.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist these Massachusetts entities with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.4 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. To learn more about the COVID-19 response in Massachusetts, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4496.

adrien.urbani Tue, 08/29/2023 - 16:02

Biden-Harris Administration Urges Those in Hurricane Idalia’s Path to Complete Preparation Immediately, Continues Hawaii Response

WASHINGTON -- As the Biden-Harris Administration continues response and recovery actions in Hawaii, the federal government is mobilizing ahead of Hurricane Idalia and encouraging residents in the storm’s path to prepare and follow the guidance of local officials.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell spoke with Florida Sen. Rick Scott yesterday and encouraged the state to share information about areas of concern so FEMA can set up response and recovery operations in the appropriate areas as quickly as possible. 

Many counties in Florida have issued evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Idalia. Anyone in the forecast path of the storm should monitor their local news for updates, follow directions provided by their local officials and heed evacuation orders.

Those living in Hurricane Idalia’s path should rush to complete preparedness actions, as this storm is expected to intensify rapidly into a dangerous major hurricane before landfall Tuesday night. There is a danger of life-threating storm surge along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast, from Tampa Bay to the Big Bend region.    

FEMA is prepositioned to support any needs that may arise as Idalia makes landfall. FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center is activated to support any requests for federal assistance. FEMA deployed 640 personnel, including six Incident Management Assistance Teams, nine Urban Search and Rescue teams and three Disaster Survivor Assistance Strike Teams, all prepared to respond if requested to do so.

FEMA has fully stocked distribution warehouses with response commodities and teams ready to move those assets at the request of the state once the storm passes. The American Red Cross and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed teams and resources anticipating the need to provide shelter, food and emergency power support. 

FEMA is also closely coordinating with Georgia and South Carolina and stands ready to provide support as needed. 

FEMA encourages everyone to visit www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov to learn more about how to be prepared and how to protect yourself and your loved ones during emergencies. 

Stay Safe During Hurricane Idalia

Residents and visitors in potentially affected areas should have a family emergency communications plan, charge their devices and batteries, ensure they are receiving emergency alerts and check on your neighbors, especially those who are older adults or may need additional assistance preparing or evacuating.

People with disabilities, older adults and their families may need to take additional steps to plan for their individual circumstances to effectively prepare for disasters. People who live in Florida with disabilities and others with access and functional needs who require help during a disaster should register with the Florida Department of Health Registry. More emergency information is available on Florida's disaster updates page.

• Get Emergency Alerts. Make sure to sign up to receive weather alerts in your community and to stay updated on the latest weather news from the National Weather Service. 
• Do not focus on the exact track of the hurricane. Hurricanes are immense systems, and changes in size, intensity speed and direction can change quickly. Additionally, areas far from the storm’s center can experience effects such as flooding and heavy winds. 
• Storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. It poses a significant threat for drowning and can occur before, during or after the center of a storm passes through an area. Storm surge can sometimes cut off evacuation routes, so leave immediately if an evacuation is ordered for your area.
• 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.
• Personal Safety. Listen to officials and stay off the roads if told to do so. Evacuate if told to do so. If you did not evacuate, find a safe location to ride out the storm. Avoid enclosed areas, such as an attic, where you may become trapped by storm surge and flooding.
• Evacuating. If you are in potentially affected areas, you should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a family emergency communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have plans for your family members and pets. If you are a person with disabilities, you may need to take additional steps to plan for both your needs and your service animal. 
• Your National Flood Insurance Program policy will cover and reimburse certain actions you take to minimize damage to your home and belongings before a flood.

Continued Support for Hawaii

More than 830 federal personnel are on the ground on Maui assisting residents in their greatest time of need. FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are going to survivors’ homes to help people register for assistance. To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved $16.2 million in assistance to more than 4,200 households.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 08/29/2023 - 15:43

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Burns Paiute Tribe

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Burns Paiute Tribe to supplement response and recovery efforts due to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides from June 11-12, 2023.

Public assistance federal funding is available to the tribe and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Burns Paiute Tribe.

Mr. Toney L. Raines has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 08/28/2023 - 22:53

FEMA Announces Nearly $3 Billion in Funding Selections to Drive Resilience to Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events

DENVER – Today, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu announced the project selections for nearly $3 billion in climate resilience funding as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The selections, through two competitive grant programs, will help communities across the nation enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

Today’s selections include $1.8 billion for critical resilience projects funded by the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) national competition and $642 million for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) community-scale flood mitigation projects. These selections build on $160 million in BRIC and FMA selections that FEMA announced in May for efforts to support mitigation projects, project scoping, and adoption of hazard-resistant building codes. Combined, the funds awarded this grant cycle of the BRIC and FMA programs total nearly $3 billion including management costs.

“Region 8 is thrilled to have nine projects for a total of $142,238,525.60 selected as part of this funding cycle,” said FEMA Region 8 Administrator Nancy Dragani. “These projects will increase resilience to natural disasters across our Region. Building resilience is a shared responsibility. Every level of government must work together to be successful, and we look forward to supporting these communities selected toward their goals.”

“From Hawaii to Maine, and everywhere in between, we are seeing the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, devastating communities nationwide. Though FEMA will always help communities respond and recover to these disasters, it is also paramount to build resilience before disasters strike,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have more resources than ever to meet this moment and provide our state, local, territorial, and tribal partners with the resources they need to help us create a more resilient nation.”

The top five primary hazard sources of the projects selected in the national competition for each program include flooding, infrastructure failure, fire, drought and dam or levee break hazards.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities 

Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Utah received BRIC selections for a total of $77,290,396s

This includes critical mitigation projects and activities to reduce natural hazard risks for states, local communities, tribes and territories.

Project selections include a water pipeline project that connects treatment plants to enhance the resilience of the water system, building aqueduct resilience to a fault line, an active landslide and a history of pipeline failures, community relocation of power lines underground, upgrades to a raw water intake system for drought relief, and upgrades to a wastewater system to prepare for heavy precipitation events.

Learn more about these projects at the BRIC webpage on FEMA.gov. 

Flood Mitigation Assistance 

North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming received Flood Mitigation Assistance selections for a total of $64,948,129. 

This funding will go towards flood control and individual property mitigation projects such as elevation, acquisitions and mitigation reconstruction of repetitively flood-damaged buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

Examples include flood risk reduction measures that will provide FEMA-accredited flood protection and allow properties to be removed from the 100-year regulatory floodplain, community upgrades to a levee system, and property that will be transformed into restored green space, and a stream restoration project.

Learn more about these projects at the Flood Mitigation Assistance webpage on FEMA.gov.

Direct Technical Assistance

Also announced in May, 46 local communities, tribes, and territories will receive non-financial direct technical assistance to help build community-wide resilience through the BRIC program. Through process-oriented, hands-on support, this assistance enhances a community’s capacity to design holistic, equitable climate adaptation solutions that advance numerous community-driven objectives. In Region 8, six Tribal Nations received this direct technical assistance. 

Brian.Hvinden Mon, 08/28/2023 - 22:17

Disaster Recovery Centers Open Across Cook County

CHICAGO – FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open Tuesday, Aug. 29 in four Cook County locations to help residents kickstart their recovery after the June 29 – July 2 storms and flood. Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster resistant, and get their questions answered in person.

The centers are located at:      

Washington Square Mall (Austin North)

Washington Square Mall                                  Hours: Mon-Sun 7a.m.-7p.m.

4851 West North Ave. 

Chicago, IL 60639​​

 

Morton College (Cicero)

Morton College                                                      Hours: Mon-Sat 7a.m.-7p.m.

3801 South Central Ave.                                    Closed Sundays 

Cicero, IL 60804                                 

 

Columbus Square Fieldhouse (Austin South)

Columbus Park Fieldhouse                                    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

500 South Central Ave.                                             Saturday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Chicago, IL 60644                                                        Closed Sundays

                                                                                            Labor Day 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

Berwyn Grove Ave Parking Garage (Berwyn)

Berwyn Grove Avenue Parking Garage              Hours: Mon-Sun 7a.m.-7p.m.

3310 Grove Ave.

Berwyn, IL 60402​​

Assistance in languages other than English, including American sign language, and translated materials are available at these centers. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Accessible parking spaces are available at all centers; at the Cicero location, it is in front and behind the building. 

Additional centers will be opening soon. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA’s DRC Locator. 

You don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4728. The deadline to register with FEMA is October 16, 2023.      

nicole.wilson Mon, 08/28/2023 - 21:37

FEMA Announces $162 million in BRIC & FMA Grants to Fund Resiliency Projects Across the Mid-Atlantic

PHILADELPHIA– The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced the recipients of the FY22 pre-disaster hazard mitigation assistance grants from their Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programs. The selections, through the two competitive grant programs, will help communities across the nation enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.  

This year, nearly $3 billion was available for BRIC and FMA grants nationally, a historic amount for these programs. This was also a historic year for Region 3, with more than double the amount of funding available for the region this year over last year.

“From Hawaii to Maine, communities across the country are experiencing more frequent and intense severe weather events, resulting in devastating impacts to their homes, businesses, and families. Though FEMA will always help communities respond and recover to these disasters, it is also paramount to build resilience before disasters strike,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we can further our mission to help our state, local, territorial, and tribal partners build a more resilient nation.”

BRIC FY22 Region 3 Recipients: 

The BRIC grant program funds critical mitigation projects and activities that reduce natural hazard risks for states, local communities, tribes, and territories. BRIC emphasizes the use of nature based solutions -- sustainable planning, design, environmental management, and engineering practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaption and resilience. 

The following nine projects in Region 3 were selected as part of the national competition for the FY22 BRIC program: 

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Water Department Updates Queen Lane Water Pump GeneratorPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania: $6.08 million

This project includes installing two 2,500-kilowatt generators, one 13.2-kilovolt (KV) incoming service switchgear, and one 13.2-KV paralleling switchgear at the 500-year-floodplain elevation level. These generators will provide resilient power and protect the pump station against multiple hazards so that it can continue serving communities. 

Pennsylvania: Bridgeville Borough Flood Control Infrastructure ProjectBridgeville Borough, Pennsylvania: $5.33 million

This will fund Phase 1A of this project, which involves constructing a levee to eliminate flooding of properties along McLaughlin Run. The project is also designed to solve area flooding and protect property from future losses, enabling growth, business expansion and possible development in this area. Once the borough completes all four project phases, mitigation efforts will benefit 172 structures.

Pennsylvania: Bethlehem Infrastructure Project - Easton Avenue Flood MitigationBethlehem, Pennsylvania: $3.05 million

Phase 1 of this project will increase stormwater detention storage and install bioretention or rain garden improvements to lower the strain on the stormwater system. By retrofitting outdated detention facilities, improving soil conditions, and incorporating native plant species, the project will reduce flooding and improve water quality while enhancing aesthetics and providing habitat benefits.

Pennsylvania: Dover, York County Floodplain MitigationDover, Pennsylvania: $5.83 million

The Dover community aims to restore a floodplain to its pre-settlement conditions through this project, which will remove excess sediment, improve groundwater connectivity, and create a vast stream-wetland floodplain complex. Restoration efforts will restore habitats, add flood storage, reduce sediment loading, and help to process pollutants. It will also mitigate potential infrastructure failure, such as the 30-inch sanitary sewer interceptor. It will help the county reduce its annual pollutant load as well. The floodplain will be seeded with native grass, sedge, and rush mix which will help stabilize the floodplain and provide habitat.  

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Water Department Pump Station MitigationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania: $50 million

This project involves construction of a new effluent pump station, replacing a dangerous and outdated system. This new pump station will protect infrastructure, prevent loss of function, and mitigate flooding across the disadvantaged drainage district. This project will include nature-based solutions such as bioretention basins, porous paving and a green roof. Once complete, this project will prevent infrastructure failure up to the 100-year storm event. It will also reduce flood risk and improve water quality and quality of life throughout the city.

Virginia: Richmond Water Treatment Facility - Feeder Channel Retaining Wall RestorationRichmond, Virginia: $11.99 million

This project will improve the feeder channel, concrete wall, and berms at the Richmond Water Treatment Facility, which serves businesses, public properties, and essential community facilities. This project will also rehabilitate concrete walls and increase their height to prevent overtopping, repair and replace channel gates, improve slope stability, remove vegetation and burrowing animals, and repair cracks. It will protect water treatment and distribution services for those within the facility’s service area ultimately making the plant more resilient to 100-year flood events and protect or restore wetlands.

Virginia: Virginia Department of Emergency Management - Green Power Mobile Energy Storage SystemNorth Chesterfield, Virginia: $21.72 million

North Chesterfield has faced natural hazards that caused power outages across wide geographic areas including disadvantaged communities and tribal nations located in the region. The Green Power On-Demand System (G-PODS) will make use of a mobile rechargeable battery system that will support the community’s electric grid during normal conditions. It can also detach and be deployed to predetermined and pre-wired disadvantaged community facilities or critical infrastructure locations to ensure there is power during a natural disaster or a similar event. This project will deploy four G-PODS units to seven quickconnect- equipped locations, along with ongoing support services. 

Virginia: City of Portsmouth - Lake Meade Dam AdaptationsPortsmouth, Virginia: $24.21 million

This project aims to enhance protection and stabilization of the Lake Meade Dam, which the City of Portsmouth owns and operates, to address future extreme precipitation. The project will strengthen the dam, upgrade spillways and improve flood protection. It will also retrofit the reservoir to prevent overtopping up to the 90% probable maximum precipitation event. This will greatly improve the level of protection for residents and businesses within the dam break inundation zone. 

Washington, D.C.: Eastern Avenue Stormwater Pump Station Resiliency ImprovementsWashington, D.C.: $ 670,749

This project involves improvements to the Eastern Avenue Stormwater Pump Station. The pump station is the primary stormwater conveyance for the Eastern Avenue underpass. This project aims to prevent power loss by installing a permanent generator, upgrading electrical equipment, and floodproofing the only access to the pump station. These measures are crucial to ensuring continuous operation, preventing traffic disruptions, and safeguarding critical infrastructure during severe storm events.

Management Costs:

The District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and Virginia will also receive more than $22 million to fund management of the grants and help implement the projects. DC will receive $440, 245, Pennsylvania will receive $14,012,826 and Virginia will receive $7,761,736. 

FY22 BRIC projects selected in other FEMA regions across the country can be found here.

Flood Mitigation Assistance FY22 Region 3 Recipients:

Five projects totaling over $9.8 million in Pennsylvania and Virginia were selected in the nationwide competition for award consideration in the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. These projects will fund flood control and individual property mitigation projects such as elevation, acquisitions, and mitigation-reconstruction of repetitively flood-damaged buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

Pennsylvania: The Borough of Yardley Elevation of Two Homes Above 100-Year FloodplainYardley, Pennsylvania: $671,292

The Borough of Yardley plans to elevate two homes that have experienced Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) during past flood events to two feet above the 100-year floodplain. There have been seven Severe Repetitive and Repetitive Loss claims paid across the two structures due to the Delaware River and Canal overflowing and flooding most of the Borough. The project aims to minimize future flood damage and reduce losses by protecting the homeowners from future flooding.

Pennsylvania: City of Philadelphia Increases Sewer CapacityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania: $5.42 million

Philadelphia will begin Phase 2 of an ongoing project to increase the sewer conveyance capacity on 21st Street in the neighborhoods of Germantown and Ogontz. Both socially vulnerable neighborhoods will build upon the Germantown Storm Flood Relief Capital Improvement Plan developed in Phase 1 and replace the 48-inch brick sewer with a 72-inch reinforced concrete box sewer. By doing this, it will increase the capacity of this system and also reduce much of the surface flooding observed in the 25, 50, and 100-year 24-hour events.

Virginia: Northern Neck Planning District Commission Elevations Northern Neck, Virginia: $1.61 million

This project aims to raise and build engineered foundations for six homes in the Northern Neck community to place them above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This will help them meet local ordinance requirements and protect the homes from future flood damage.

Virginia: Gloucester County Elevation of Ware River Home Gloucester County, Virginia: $176,400 

This project aims to raise a single-family home built in 1947 in Gloucester County to mitigate repetitive flood losses experienced by the homeowners totaling more than $30,000. The project will involve pre-construction activities, including erosion control and the use of nature-based solutions, that will protect the home against future flood events.

Virginia: Elevation of Severe Repetitive Loss and Repetitive Loss Properties in the City of Norfolk Norfolk, Virginia: $2.01 Million 

This project aims to raise seven residential properties to address the repetitive flooding. Each property will be raised three feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to protect these structures from future flood events. These efforts will help lower flood insurance rates and reduce flood claims for property owners while enhancing the City’s resilience.

Management Costs:

Pennsylvania and Virginia will also receive $1.1 million to fund management costs and help implement the projects. Pennsylvania will receive $698,095and Virginia will receive $441,142.

FMA projects selected in other FEMA regions across the country can be found here.

“We are excited to announce another historic year of selections for our BRIC and FMA grant programs. These programs allow us to work with states in our region and the District of Columbia to find new and innovative ways to help communities become more resilient,” said FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “We encourage communities who may not have been chosen or who haven’t applied in the past to work with their state hazard mitigation partners to apply for funding in the next cycle.”

Following this announcement, FEMA will work closely with our Region 3 states and the District of Columbia to finalize these projects which have been selected for further review. Communities can expect the application process to open for FY23 BRIC grants in the next few months when FEMA posts the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for each grant program. Local communities should be mindful of state application deadlines which will be in advance of FEMA’s deadline. Communities apply for these grant programs through their states. 

More information on how communities can apply for BRIC or FMA funding and resources available can be found here: www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/applying. 

 

###

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

erika.osullivan Mon, 08/28/2023 - 20:19

Webinar Set to Help Arts and Culture Sector Recover from July Storms

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force will present a webinar to help Vermont cultural institutions and arts organizations recover from damage caused by the July 7-17, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.

The webinar, requested by the Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster and Resilience Network, will be offered via Zoom from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31. It is titled “Navigating Public Assistance for the Arts & Culture Sector.”

Federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program is available for the arts and culture sector. The webinar will help demystify the PA process and explain how funding can help organizations recover. It will explain:

• The PA process as it applies specifically to the arts and culture sector.
• Why you need to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan before applying for FEMA Public Assistance.
• The assistance available through SBA.
• Measures you may have taken, or plan to take, that may be eligible for reimbursement through FEMA PA.
• Deadlines for applying for aid:
  • SBA – Sept. 12
  • FEMA PA – Oct. 12
• Points of contact to answer any questions as you apply for PA funding.

Speakers will include representatives from FEMA’s PA program and SBA. The webinar will end with a question-and-answer session. 

There is no need to register for the webinar. To join, use the link below:

https://smithsonian.zoom.us/j/84008140714?pwd=WTV4S20wUzlQZzgvdUZtcHBlb3Q5dz09  

Meeting ID: 840 0814 0714 

Passcode: 067749

If you have questions, contact Task Force Coordinator Lori Foley at fema-hentf@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution co-sponsor the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of 62 national service organizations and federal agencies, to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.

In addition to the webinar, FEMA and the Library of Congress “Save Your Family’s Treasures” preservation teams will continue their local demonstrations on how to safely handle and salvage damaged items, using techniques taught by Heritage Emergency National Task Force conservation experts.

Preservation specialists will share ways on how to salvage storm-damaged family photos, artwork, textiles, media and other family treasures at the following dates at these Disaster Recovery Center locations:

• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 28 through Sept. 2, at Barre Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill, Barre, VT 05641
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 28 through Sept. 2, at Cabot Town Hall, 3084 Main St., Cabot, VT 05647

If you cannot attend the demonstrations, guidance and resources are available online at Save Your Family Treasures | FEMA.gov.

kwei.nwaogu Mon, 08/28/2023 - 19:18

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Activates Helpline for Survivors

Vermont survivors of the July 7-17, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides now have access to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Helpline. Experts will be available to offer advice on how to build your home back stronger and safer.

Help is available to all homeowners, not only those affected by the recent storms.

If anyone has questions about how to make their home safer, call the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Helpline at 833-336-2487. Listen to the prompts and select #3 for Vermont.

FEMA mitigation experts are also available for in-person advice on rebuilding at Disaster Recovery Centers, which are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, in affected areas across the state. To find a center near you, visit fema.gov/drc. You may also call FEMA at 800-621-3362 for recovery center locations. 

kwei.nwaogu Mon, 08/28/2023 - 19:10

Biden-Harris Administrations Announces Nearly $3 Billion in Project Selections to Help Communities Build Resilience to Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events

New York, NY — Today, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu announced the project selections for nearly $3 billion in climate resilience funding as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The selections, through two competitive grant programs, will help communities across the nation enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

Today’s selections include $1.8 billion for critical resilience projects funded by the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) national competition and $642 million for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) community- scale flood mitigation projects. These selections build on $160 million in BRIC and FMA selections that FEMA announced in May for efforts to support mitigation projects, project scoping, and adoption of hazard-resistant building codes. Combined, the funds awarded this grant cycle of the BRIC and FMA programs total nearly $3 billion including management costs.

A key pillar of Bidenomics, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has provided record funding to FEMA’s annual resilience grant programs, increasing them from $700 million when he took office to $3 billion this year. This increased funding allows FEMA to expand its geographic scope in funding selections and protect more of our nation’s communities that are most in harm’s way from the effects of climate change and extreme weather. Today’s selections include projects in 23 states that have never before received competitive BRIC funding. 

“Our local and community partners are the first responders when extreme weather events unfold, and they are on the front lines of building our nation’s resilience to the impacts of climate change,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “By investing today in strengthening our critical infrastructure, particularly for the most marginalized and vulnerable communities, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is going to keep Americans and their communities safer and more resilient."  

“From Hawaii to Maine, communities across the country are experiencing more frequent and intense severe weather events, resulting in devastating impacts to their homes, businesses, and families. Though FEMA will always help communities respond and recover to these disasters, it is also paramount to build resilience before disasters strike,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we can further our mission to help our state, local, territorial, and tribal partners build a more resilient nation.”

“Millions of Americans in communities big and small feel the effects of climate change each year from drought, extreme heat, wildfires and floods,” said Mitch Landrieu, Senior Adviser to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides the largest investment in the resilience of physical and natural systems in American history. These projects will be a lifeline for many communities as we build a stronger, more resilient America.”

“FEMA’s BRIC and FMA programs are just two ways to help communities fund hazard mitigation activities equitably. Grant programs of this type reinforce our commitment to not only building resilience across Region 2 but across the nation,” said FEMA Region 2 Administrator David Warrington. “We are pleased that projects within all of our jurisdictions – New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have been selected to receive funding. Strengthening critical infrastructure is an important step toward making our communities safer for future generations.”

Today’s selections further underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equity and environmental justice, including by assisting the most disadvantaged communities in building resilience to climate change and extreme weather events. Aligning with the President’s Justice40 Initiative, these efforts will advance the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain covered Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.  In total, more than $1.2 billion—71%—in BRIC national competition selections and approximately 53% of all BRIC and FMA selections—$1.6 billion—will benefit disadvantaged communities.

Both programs received applications representing an intense demand for climate resilience funding. State, local, tribal and territorial governments submitted record-breaking requests for funding totaling a combined $5.6 billion for these two grant programs. 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

For the BRIC national competition, FEMA selected 124 projects across 115 communities. The selections span all 10 FEMA regions, including 38 states, one tribe and the District of Columbia. These are critical mitigation projects and activities to reduce natural hazard risks for states, local communities, tribes and territories. Examples of funded projects include:

• Strengthening the electrical grid in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, including by equipping poles and wires to withstand 150 mph winds. The project should decrease the risk of power outages to residents and critical facilities;
• Upgrading pipelines in the Central Utah Water Conservancy District to withstand seismic activity. Pipelines will be designed to withstand a 975-year seismic event;
• Installing new sewer mains in Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood to protect over 600 homes from flooding. The area has seen repeated major flooding since the 1950s;
• Building three critical electrical hubs in Ko‘olaupoko, Hawaii, to keep the power on during severe weather and long outages; 
• Installing critical infrastructure upgrades to the Hobart Creek Reservoir Dam in Nevada to enhance safety and protect the water supply. This work will help to mitigate the risk of a catastrophic breach during earthquakes or major precipitation events;
• Making storm drainage improvements in Greenville, North Carolina that will reduce flood risk for 90 homes;
• Reducing extreme heat conditions in Portland, Oregon, by planting 10,500 trees over three years to reduce the impacts of heat islands as well as mitigate urban flooding during extreme rainfall events as well as improve air quality;
• Supporting a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program in Napa County, California, to provide long-term-term wildfire and climate resilience for many of its residents and communities; and
• Funding a new water pump station in Philadelphia to reduce flood risk and improve water quality and quality of life throughout the city.

 

A total of 64 of the projects selected use nature-based solutions to achieve program objectives. In addition to funding for flood mitigation, wildfire, and drought, this year’s selections also include the first BRIC funding for extreme heat. 

Combined with May’s announcement of $136 million, FEMA has selected $2.1 billion worth in BRIC grants for this funding cycle.

Also announced in May, 46 local communities, tribes, and territories will receive non-financial direct technical assistance to help build community-wide resilience through the BRIC program. Through process-oriented, hands-on support, this assistance enhances a community’s capacity to design holistic, equitable climate adaptation solutions that advance numerous community-driven objectives. 

This assistance provides free support to help disadvantaged and underserved communities access Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs. More than 70 communities, territories, and tribes nationwide have been selected to receive this hands-on support since the BRIC technical assistance program began three years ago, several of which received implementation funding as part of this year’s selections. 

Learn more about selected projects on FEMA.gov.

Flood Mitigation Assistance

For the Flood Mitigation Assistance program, FEMA selected 149 projects in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-participating communities in 28 states and the District of Columbia. This funding will go towards flood control and individual property mitigation projects such as elevation, acquisitions and mitigation reconstruction of repetitively flood-damaged buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

Combined with May’s announcement of $24 million, FEMA has selected $711 million worth in Flood Mitigation Assistance grants for this funding cycle. Examples of funded projects include:

• Elevating 84 structure to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation and open green space for the community in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
• Acquiring and demolishing repetitively-flooded structures in Machesney Park, Illinois, to eliminate repetitive flood threats to property and convert to green space.
• Upgrading a stormwater infrastructure system in Harris County, Texas.
• Elevating 19 single-family homes in the Florida Keys using piers and concrete footings to at least three feet above the Base Flood Elevation, or to the elevation set by the local floodplain ordinance, whichever is higher.

Approximately $212 million (33%) of this cycle’s Flood Mitigation Assistance project selections will go to disadvantaged communities. Examples of community-wide projects funded areas include:

• Upgrading drainage to reduce flood risk in Canton, Mississippi. 
• Constructing a flood control facility in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Learn more about selected projects on FEMA.gov.  

gina.callaghan Mon, 08/28/2023 - 18:22

FEMA Announces Nearly $3 Billion in Funding Selections to Drive Resilience to Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events

Today, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu announced project selections for nearly $3 billion in climate resilience funding as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The selections, through two competitive grant programs, will help communities across the nation enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

Today’s selections include $1.8 billion for critical resilience projects funded by the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) national competition and $642 million for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) community- scale flood mitigation projects. These selections build on $160 million in BRIC and FMA selections that FEMA announced in May for efforts to support mitigation projects, project scoping, and adoption of hazard-resistant building codes. Combined, the funds awarded this grant cycle of the BRIC and FMA programs total nearly $3 billion including management costs.

“We are extremely pleased to announce that projects in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts have been selected for this innovative federal funding,” said FEMA Region I Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Under President Biden’s Administration and through Administrator Criswell’s leadership, FEMA has made climate change a top priority and we continue to make progress to ensure communities become more resilient with critical mitigation projects like these.” 

“From Hawaii to Maine, communities across the country are experiencing more frequent and intense severe weather events, resulting in devastating impacts to their homes, businesses, and families. Though FEMA will always help communities respond and recover to these disasters, it is also paramount to build resilience before disasters strike,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we can further our mission to help our state, local, territorial, and tribal partners build a more resilient nation.”

The top five primary hazard sources of the projects selected in the national competition for each program include flooding, infrastructure failure, fire, drought and dam or levee break hazards.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts received BRIC selections for a total of $132.62 million. In addition, Maine received a selection for the first time.

This includes critical mitigation projects and activities – three of which use nature-based solutions to reduce natural hazard risks for states, local communities, tribes and territories. Nature-based solutions are sustainable planning, design, environmental management and engineering practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation and resilience.

One project selection is the Saco, Maine Water Resource Recovery Project. The project aims to make improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, including the addition of a berm and the construction of structures at an elevation 3 feet above the 100-year flood elevation or base flood elevation (BFE). The project would reduce risk to the city and an estimated 12,206 residential users served by the wastewater treatment plant.

This new wastewater treatment project will reduce combined sewer overflow discharge, incorporate drainage improvements throughout the site, reclaim green space for community use, and mitigate cascading impacts of climate change in accordance with York County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

Learn more about the selected projects on the BRIC webpage on FEMA.gov.

Additional information about the funding

President Biden has continued to provide additional funding to FEMA’s annual resilience grant programs, increasing them from $700 million to $1.16 billion during his first year in office to nearly tripling it in the 2022 funding cycle, $900 million of which came from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The increased amount allows FEMA to diversify its geographic scope in funding selections and get more federal funds to communities needing it the most to become safer from the effects of climate change.

adrien.urbani Mon, 08/28/2023 - 17:59

FEMA Celebrates Disaster Resilience Month with Visit to DC Water Plant to Highlight Floodwall Project

PHILADELPHIA - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Senior Officials, Victoria Salinas and Janice Barlow, toured DC Water’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant to celebrate Disaster Resilience Month this August. The tour highlighted the innovative work the District of Columbia and DC Water are doing to reduce flood risk. 

Along with officials from DC’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), FEMA leaders were given an overview of DC Water’s emergency management program and the work they’ve been doing to mitigate hazards. The Blue Plains facility is the largest advanced wastewater treatment plant in the world, servicing more than 2.5 million people in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. It is located at the southern tip of the District along the Potomac River and has experienced flooding due to hurricanes and storms in the past. 

Over the past seven years, DC Water has applied for and received several types of FEMA funding to develop, plan, and construct a floodwall around their Blue Plains facility. Currently one section is finished, with three more planned soon using FEMA funding. When complete, these floodwall segments will protect the plant from a 500-year flood event, keeping critical infrastructure safe and operating 24/7. 

“Reducing risk to critical infrastructure is a high priority for FEMA,” said Victoria Salinas, FEMA Senior Official Performing Duties of Deputy Administrator of Resilience “DC Water’s Blue Plains facility tour illustrated how FEMA funding is being used to reduce risk from future flooding, and a commitment to building resilience in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.  Between these investments and a planned micro-grid, this means that this wastewater system that serves over 2 million residents will remain operational during extreme events.  This utility will now be protected from the devastating effects of climate-related storm surge and sea level rise for years to come.”

Once FEMA awards the latest grant funds, the agency will have invested more than $22.7 million in this project through the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programs. 

“DC Water is a great example of how a utility, community or municipality can leverage the many different types of FEMA funding available to fund not only the construction of a project, but the planning and scoping phases as well,” said FEMA Region 3 Deputy Regional Administrator Janice Barlow. “It was exciting to see firsthand the work DC Water is doing to protect critical infrastructure that affects many residents throughout Region 3.”

During the month of August, FEMA is highlighting successful mitigation efforts across the country to raise awareness of ways communities are being more climate resilient. You can learn more here. 

 

###

Victoria Salinas is the Senior Official Performing Duties of Deputy Administrator for Resilience at FEMA and Janice Barlow is the Deputy Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3.

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. 

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

erika.osullivan Mon, 08/28/2023 - 16:25

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for Florida

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Florida to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Idalia beginning Aug. 27, 2023, and continuing. 

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of catastrophe in Alachua, Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the effects of the emergency. Emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program will be provided at 75% federal funding. 

Brett H. Howard has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

luther.wills-dudich Mon, 08/28/2023 - 16:01