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FEMA Awards Nearly $6.6 Million to UMass Amherst for COVID-19 Testing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $6.6 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the cost of testing students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $6,593,575 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the public land-grant research university in Amherst for the cost of providing 263,743 tests between August 2020 and August 2021.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist UMass Amherst with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 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.”
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 $1 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Wed, 06/22/2022 - 01:23FEMA Awards More Than $1 Million to Wellesley College for COVID-19 Testing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Wellesley College for the cost of testing students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1,036,178 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private liberal arts college in Wellesley for the cost of providing 33,117 coronavirus tests between January and April 2021, as well as providing masks for students and staff. The school also set up 31 rooms for isolation of students with COVID and 68 rooms to quarantine students exposed to COVID.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Wellesley College with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 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.”
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 $1 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, 06/21/2022 - 23:11Corte Madera Earns 20% Flood Insurance Discount
OAKLAND, Calif. – Residents and businesses in Corte Madera will now be eligible for an additional five percent discount—up from 15 to 20 percent—on their flood insurance premiums thanks to local mitigation efforts.
The town’s new Community Rating System (CRS) Class 6 level, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), rewards policyholders with 20 percent discounts on residential and nonresidential structures in identified flood zones.
After April 1, current and new policyholders will save about $270 on their annual flood insurance premiums, about $80 more than Class 7 discounts. With over 428 policies in Corte Madera, $113,788 per year will now be saved by the community.
Activities that help communities raise their CRS standing include public outreach programs, higher mapping and regulation standards, and flood mitigation initiatives that help save lives and protect property from flooding.
NFIP policies are available through private insurance companies and agents, with a 30-day waiting period before coverage goes into effect.
Visit floodsmart.gov for information about floods, flood insurance and your own flood risk.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.
robert.barker Tue, 06/21/2022 - 19:45Michael Chesney Selected as FEMA Region 5 Deputy Regional Administrator
CHICAGO – Michael Chesney, recently selected as deputy regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 5, was sworn into his new role on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Chesney will oversee operational aspects of the agency’s mission at the Chicago-based FEMA office, serving a six-state region that includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, along with 34 federally recognized tribal nations.
“Mike’s 30 years of honorable military service, combined with his extensive federal government and emergency management experience, position him as a strong leader with the expertise to successfully guide our agency in the face of new challenges and opportunities,” said Tom Sivak, regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “He’s a true embodiment of our agency’s core values and will be an asset to the important work of building a FEMA that our nation needs and deserves.”
Chesney joins the Senior Executive Service (SES) of the federal government, which is comprised of leaders who serve in key positions just below the top presidential appointees. SES members are the major link between these appointees and the rest of the federal workforce. They operate and oversee nearly every government activity in approximately 75 federal agencies, including FEMA.
Most recently, Chesney served as the Federal Preparedness Coordinator and the Director of the National Preparedness Division (NPD) for FEMA Region 5, where he coordinated a range of preparedness activities for the six Great Lakes states. During the COVID-19 pandemic response, he served as the Regional Coordinating Officer for operations that managed medical resources to combat the virus and provided oversight of six federally supported community vaccination centers.
Prior to his role as the Director of NPD, Chesney served with FEMA Region 5 in a military capacity as the assigned Defense Coordinating Officer. Most notably, he successfully commanded the military recovery operation for the I-35 Minnesota bridge collapse in 2007.
Completing three decades of honorable military service in the United States Army, Chesney served in executive-level management for several years, culminating in the rank of Colonel. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in National Security Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 06/21/2022 - 16:06Licking County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a virtual Flood Map Information Open House on June 28, 2022, for communities in Licking 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) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1-percent-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials may use when permitting 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 Licking 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: Licking County—virtual Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: June 28, 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/92407325121?pwd=ak1OUVBMc2ZBQVE1STVBWFRZZVNoZz09 Meeting ID: 924 0732 5121, Passcode: licking
(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, 06/21/2022 - 15:55Stay Safe in Extreme Heat This Week
CHICAGO – With the season’s first wave of oppressive heat and humidity forecast this week, the FEMA Region 5 office in Chicago is encouraging residents to avoid the dangers of extreme heat by taking some simple steps to stay safe.
“We all need to take precautions when temperatures soar to potentially dangerous highs,” said Tom Sivak, FEMA Region 5 acting regional administrator. “Extreme heat makes the body work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Regularly check yourself and those you care about—especially children, older adults and pets—for the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and be ready to respond to them.”
After weeks of comfortable temperatures, don’t be caught unaware as highs spike this week.
- Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness and recommended first aid steps.
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. If you don’t have access to air conditioning at home, find places in your community with AC, such as a local cooling center.
- Keep your home as cool as possible. Roughly 40% of unwanted heat buildup in our homes is through windows. Use awnings or curtains to keep the heat out, and check the weather stripping on doors and windows to keep the cool air in.
- If you must be outside, find shade. Avoid strenuous activity, cover your head with a hat wide enough to protect your face and wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty.
- NEVER leave people or pets in a parked car.
For more information and tips on being ready for extreme heat, visit www.ready.gov/heat.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 06/21/2022 - 15:08FEMA Honors Juneteenth with Employee Engagement and Community Service
WASHINGTON -- In commemoration of Juneteenth National Independence Day, FEMA staff will participate in employee-hosted programming honoring the legacy of Juneteenth, followed by a day of public service on Monday, June 20, led by members of the FEMA National Service Alumni Employee Resource Group at Washington, D.C., non-profit Bread for the City.
“It is incredibly important that we come together as a nation to recognize the significance of Juneteenth, and to never forget the millions of Black Americans who were deprived of their freedoms in this country under slavery,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “At FEMA, we strive to place equity at the center of our efforts and do our part in addressing and correcting these historical injustices.”
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Black Independence Day, commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of General Order 3, declaring that all slaves were free. Last year, in support of this important day, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act” into law, officially commemorating Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
“Juneteenth not only serves as a celebration of the hope, resilience and perseverance of the African-American community, but it also allows us all to reflect on our country’s complex history -- examining both the legacy of systemic racism while also appreciating how far we have come,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks. “At FEMA, and across the Biden-Harris Administration, we know even more work must be done if we are to live up to the promise of Juneteenth and ensure everyone in this country lives a life of dignity.” Deputy Administrator Hooks also recorded a video where he reflected further on his thoughts for the holiday.
In addition to the community service project FEMA’s National Service Alumni Employee Resource Group will do with D.C.’s non-profit Bread for the City, FEMA also recognized Juneteenth with two special employee-hosted events earlier this week.
One event, hosted by the agency’s Veteran’s Advisory Council, featured a presentation from Juneteenth Legacy Project President Samuel L. Collins III. A second event, co-hosted by the FEMA African American Employee Resource Group and Equity Coalition of the Willing, featured a conversation celebrating Juneteenth, acknowledging lessons from the past and connecting them to the current-day struggle for African-American freedom and equity.
amy.ashbridge Fri, 06/17/2022 - 15:59President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Montana
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Montana to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from June 10, 2022 and continuing.
The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and flooding in Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Maona N. Ngwira has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/16/2022 - 19:00Revised Preliminary Flood Maps for Craighead County, Arkansas Ready for Public View
DENTON, Texas – Revised Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in portions of the City of Jonesboro and unincorporated areas of Craighead County, Arkansas.
Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.
For this Physical Map Revision, the FIRMs for Craighead County serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.
FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.
Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Carmen.Castro Thu, 06/16/2022 - 17:09Proposed Mineral County Flood Maps Reflect Changes to Local Flood Risk
DENVER – Updates to Mineral County, Montana’s flood insurance rate maps are nearing completion. The new maps will provide portions of the Clark Fork and St. Regis Rivers and several tributary streams in Mineral County with more accurate flood risk information that can help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance.
The mapping project was initiated in 2016 and is a joint effort between Mineral County, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), and FEMA. It is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risk and support actions to address and reduce that risk.
In Mineral County, the project involved flood study work on 58 miles of the Clark Fork River, 37 miles of the St. Regis River, and 71 miles of smaller tributaries to these rivers. New and updated flood insurance rate maps were produced, indicating areas at risk of flooding in a one-percent annual chance flood event. The new floodplain maps will be used to replace existing floodplain maps from 1996 and update Mineral County and communities to the countywide digital flood insurance rate map format.
Officials encourage residents and business owners to review the proposed maps to learn about the flood threat in their area, and potential future flood insurance purchase requirements.
Once preliminary maps are released, there is a 90-day appeal period during which community members can provide additional data for consideration before the maps are final. This appeal period ends on September 13, 2022. Appeal packages should address scientific or technical mistakes in the maps and must include supporting data or engineering documentation.
The proposed maps can be viewed online at www.floodplain.mt.gov/mineral and at the Mineral County Environmental Health and Planning Department.
If you have technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, you may be able to appeal the flood risk information on the proposed maps during the 90-day appeal period. For further details on this process, visit www.floodplain.mt.gov/mineral or contact Andy Short, Mineral County Floodplain Administrator at 406-822-3525, or Nadene Wadsworth, DNRC Floodplain Outreach Specialist at 406-444-6732.
jamie.casterton Wed, 06/15/2022 - 22:16FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Pipeline Fire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Arizona in combatting the Pipeline Fire burning in Coconino County.
On June 12, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,100 homes in and around Doney Park, Timberline and Black Bill Park. The fire also threatened schools, fire stations, post offices, cultural sites, cell towers and electrical transmission lines in the area.
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become a greater incident.
Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.
For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.
robert.barker Mon, 06/13/2022 - 14:22Nearly $600 Million in FEMA Funding Injection to Rebuild Power Grid
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –─ The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved nearly $600 million for the purchase of materials and equipment needed to rebuild Puerto Rico's power grid. The federal share will allow for the advance purchase of materials, so that resources will be available once the reconstruction work begins.
Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero, explained that the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) has already submitted to the agency an initial list of materials and equipment that are currently in short supply, that usually have a long-lead time or that could be impacted by future events.
“This is an extensive requirement which includes the areas of transmission and distribution, substations and telecommunications. The goal is to have the materials in time for the work to begin. We are very excited to see how the work is beginning to take shape,” said the official.
Among the materials included in this project are about 2,500 circuit miles of transmission lines, roughly 23 miles of submarine cable for the municipalities of Vieques and Culebra, over 300 substations, nearly 200,000 transformers and nearly 13,400 miles of feeders, among other necessary equipment.
Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), said, "This obligation is the result of the active and proactive work we have executed together with PREPA, FEMA and the close collaboration with LUMA. I reiterate that the reconstruction of the electrical grid has already begun and the purchase of the equipment under this significant obligation will allow for the streamlined development of other projects. Currently, we have disbursed $1.6 billion in emergency categories and $7.1 million for permanent works. As the projects move forward in their development, and PREPA or LUMA submit their requests for reimbursement, we will promptly address them so that the money disbursed will continue to further the reconstruction of other infrastructure in the electric system.
FEMA has approved over $12.8 billion to PREPA for permanent and emergency work to address damages from Hurricane Maria and the 2020 Earthquakes. Of this total, $9.4 billion was awarded through FEMA's Accelerated Awards Strategy (FAAST).
For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, please visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow our social media pages at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 06/13/2022 - 12:39President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends New Mexico Disaster Declaration
SANTA FE, NM – Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of New Mexico by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures undertaken in the State of New Mexico as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on April 5, 2022, and continuing.
Under the President’s major disaster declaration issued for the State of New Mexico on May 4, 2022, Federal funding was made available for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance at 75 percent of the total eligible costs.
Under the President's order today, the Federal share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for the first 90 days of the incident period. Emergency Protective measures can provide funding for emergency work, including procuring equipment and supplies for responders, supporting evacuation requirements such as traffic control and sheltering residents, pre-positioning resources to support the response, and establishing field camps and meals for responders.
This additional support will help ensure that New Mexico has no financial limitations related to immediate lifesaving and life sustaining operations related to the ongoing wildfires.
For the latest information on the wildfires, visit fema.gov/disaster/4652. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
thomas.wise Sun, 06/12/2022 - 01:21FEMA, USFA Release Wildland Urban Interface Report
WASHINGTON -- FEMA’s U.S. Fire Administration released the “Wildland Urban Interface: A Look at Issues and Resolutions,” report earlier this week.
The report is meant to raise awareness and initiate collaborative efforts to facilitate change in wake of catastrophic wildfire losses in the wildland urban interface. This report highlights the wildland interface issues in the United States and will help the wildland and structural firefighting community and neighborhoods unite around key actions to reduce risk to themselves, to firefighters and the environment.
“Wildfires are no longer seasonal events -- fueled by climate change, they are destroying lives and property year-round, ” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Our communities have battled the nation’s most damaging wildfires in just the last few years, with wildfires accounting for 62% of the structures lost over the last 15 years. It is clear that we simply cannot shy away from the work required to mitigate future risk,” she said. “In addition to the mitigation grants that FEMA provides to state and local communities to bolster their climate resilience to wildfires, this Wildland Urban Interface report lays out a unified, strategic approach to risk reduction at the national, state, regional and local levels to achieve that critical objective.”
Wildfires are among the worst natural and man-made disasters facing our nation. Factors such as climate change and reduced land management practices are significantly contributing to the cause, increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
“While the resolutions to the challenges identified may seem daunting, they are achievable,” said U.S. Fire Administration Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell. “Together, we can take action to change the trajectory of the ever-increasing wildfire threat in America and create resilient landscapes for generations to come.”
Federal agencies are working with partners to address many of the wildland interface challenges discussed in this report. These efforts include:
- Increasing forest and rangeland resiliency through prescribed burning and mechanical thinning.
- Strengthening communication strategies and engagement operations through wildfire prevention and mitigation programs.
- Proactively planning for and mitigating the continued effects of climate change.
Other high-priority areas in the report are also focused on firefighter health and safety, especially mental and behavioral health, and public safety through improving evacuation procedures with efforts such as Reverse 911.
To help prepare yourself and your family for wildfires, visit Ready.gov/wildfires.
amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/09/2022 - 17:47FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Visits National Interagency Fire Center, Meets with NAC Members
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell traveled to Boise, Idaho this week, where she visited students at Boise State University, toured the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and met with members of the agency’s National Advisory Council.
On Tuesday, Criswell met with Boise State University’s Hazard and Climate Resiliency Institute students. The institute is a community of researchers, practitioners and students who are dedicated to improving society’s resilience to natural hazards and the impacts of a changing climate.
Later that day, Criswell, U.S. Fire Administration Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and FEMA Region 10 leadership were briefed on this summer’s fire outlook by NIFC officials. The center is comprised of eight different agencies and organizations that support wildland firefighting.
“Wildfires are no longer seasonal events -- fueled by climate change, they are destroying lives and property year-round,” Criswell said. “Our communities have battled the nation’s most damaging wildfires in just the last few years, with wildfires accounting for 62% of the structures lost over the last 15 years. It is clear that we simply cannot shy away from the work required to mitigate future risk.”
Criswell met with members of the National Advisory Council on Wednesday at Boise State University’s Stueckle Sky Center. There she discussed climate resiliency, FEMA assistance eligibility changes and workforce recruitment and engagement.
The council, established as part of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, is comprised of up to 35 members from throughout the nation who represent emergency management, government agencies, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations to advise the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management.
“I truly appreciate this amazing group of experts who are able to come together and make recommendations to me and our agency,” Criswell said. “We use the NAC to address the most pressing issues at FEMA and the emergency management community.”
Each year, the NAC presents a series of recommendations to the agency and the administrator. FEMA released the agency’s official response to these recommendation last week. For information on how to prepare you and your family for wildfires, visit Ready.gov/wildfires.
amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/09/2022 - 16:11Disaster Recovery Centers in Dorado and Toa Baja to Close permanently
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The remaining Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Dorado and Toa Baja will close permanently on Saturday, June. 11. Survivors who live in the designated municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja can continue to visit the temporary centers to complete late applications for disaster assistance or to get additional guidance until Saturday.
Temporary centers are located at:
Pabellón Comercial Rafael Hernández Colón
Calle Méndez Vigo #349
(in front of Residencial El Dorado), Dorado
Junta de Inscripción Permanente de Candelaria
RR-865
Barrio Candelaria, Toa Baja
Regular hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FEMA will continue to support survivors with several options to complete late applications or follow up and get additional guidance. Survivors can use the following options:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- By phone at 1-800-621-3362. Video relay service (and captioned telephone service or others is available if needed. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
- Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit Fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico,and at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Thu, 06/09/2022 - 12:11FEMA, NASA Release New Resource to Address Climate Change Crisis
Second Installment of ‘Building Alliances’ Series Addresses Tackling Some of the Nation’s Biggest Challenges
WASHINGTON -- Communities across the nation can refer to a new resource released by FEMA’s Resilient Nation Partnership Network (RNPN) and NASA, with support from many partners, to learn how they can address the climate crisis.
“Building Alliances for Climate Action” is a resource for the whole community, providing various perspectives, personal stories, insights and resources about climate change. The whole community includes individuals, businesses, faith-based and community organizations, nonprofits, schools, media and all levels of government.
This resource builds on the success of the Alliances for Climate Action Forum, co-hosted by the RNPN and NASA. The RNPN is a diverse network with representation from over 1,500 organizations united to help communities become more resilient to natural disasters and climate-related events.
The forum is one of the largest federally hosted climate events in recent years, with 37 speakers sharing their perspectives and paths to bolstering collective climate action. Over 3,250 viewers from more than 900 organizations joined this critical conversation. Watch the whole series here.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson highlighted the urgency of becoming a climate resilient nation, stating:
“To meet this moment, we need to invest in initiatives to break the cycles of disaster, damage and reconstruction,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Our actions now will directly impact the future. In the past, FEMA was criticized for insufficient action on climate change. This will not be our future.”
“NASA’s Earth observation and research supports the Biden-Harris administration’s climate agenda, which outlines putting the climate crisis at the center of our nation’s foreign policy and national security,” said NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson. “NASA is working hand-in-hand with FEMA to ensure communities across the U.S. and around the world have the resources they need to adapt in the face of extreme weather – which is increasing due to climate change.”
Building Alliances for Climate Action is the second resource of the “Building Alliances” series that the RNPN has co-developed. The first document, “Building Alliances for Equitable Resilience,” was the result of collaboration with NOAA and 26 partners in the fields of equity and resilience.
The RNPN, NASA and NOAA’s collaboration on the “Building Alliances” series demonstrates a commitment to a whole community approach toward addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. Whole community partnerships are critical in creating a more resilient nation for the present.
Learn more about how you or your organization can get involved by visiting fema.gov.
amy.ashbridge Wed, 06/08/2022 - 19:51
FEMA Provides $144M to Wisconsin Department of Administration
CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) announced today that $144,454,782 in federal funding has been made available to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for costs related to the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal disaster declaration of April 4, 2020.
This funding will reimburse Wisconsin Department of Administration for costs to provide diagnostic testing to reduce the threat of COVID-19 transmission statewide.
“FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an important resource supporting our nation’s pandemic response,” said Tom Sivak, regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “Testing has played a vital role in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and continues to be a key part of keeping our communities safe from this virus.”
“We are extremely grateful to FEMA and WEM for their continued partnership and support of Wisconsin’s COVID-19 testing efforts,” said Deb Standridge, Deputy Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “In coordination with our sister agency at the Wisconsin Department of Administration, testing for COVID-19 remains a critical tool for helping Wisconsinites to protect their health and make informed decisions when going out into the community.”
FEMA provides a 100 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for this project.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. To learn more, visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Wed, 06/08/2022 - 14:47Healing and Rebuilding Take Time After Tornadoes’ Rampage
MAYFIELD, Ky. – Evidence of clean-up and recovery is beginning to show in the heart of this tornado- stricken city. Downtown streets are mostly passable, the bricks and rubble from shattered buildings removed from some blocks. The site of the demolished candle factory that drew the sympathy of the nation is now a vacant lot.
Since the disaster six months ago, mountains of debris have been removed in Western Kentucky and many millions in federal and commonwealth dollars have been spent helping Kentucky’s survivors rebound. Shaken communities across the Bluegrass State are just beginning to regain their footing.
But the historic courthouse in Mayfield, its majestic clock tower snapped off the façade and its interior damaged beyond repair, is a visible reminder of the tornadoes’ deadly destruction and the challenges as survivors heal and towns rebuild.
The tornadoes hit with unexpected force the night of Dec. 10 and continued the next day, carving a path through nine states including Kentucky’s mostly rural towns like Mayfield and Dawson Springs and the city of Bowling Green. Eighty-one lives were lost in Western Kentucky, 24 of them in Graves County, where Mayfield is the county seat.
Mayfield city officials reported 257 structures destroyed, more than 1,000 others damaged.
Immediately after the tornadoes, local, commonwealth and federal disaster officials, nonprofits and volunteers began mobilizing. By daylight, Gov. Andy Beshear was touring Mayfield, Dawson Springs and other damaged areas.
“It was beyond anything I had ever seen, with whole communities nearly wiped off the map,” he said. “But I also witnessed acts of heroism, compassion and kindness that should make us all proud. The entire world saw how Kentuckians come together, how we open our hearts and our homes to our fellow citizens in their time of greatest need.”
By Dec. 11, advance teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency began arriving in response to the state’s request for federal help. The next day, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration unlocking federal assistance under multiple programs for residents and communities in the tornado- damaged counties.
To make sure survivors knew how to apply, FEMA launched a multi-pronged outreach. Disaster Survivor Assistance teams visited 11,000 homes between Dec. 14 and March 9, helping with applications and answering questions. Teams reached out to houses of worship and community groups, asking them to pass along disaster information. FEMA messaging was shared with elected officials and amplified by media outlets.
FEMA also set up disaster recovery centers across the affected counties where survivors could get updates about their applications and submit their documents. The federal agency was prepared for survivors with disabilities or language barriers, which was particularly important in Bowling Green, home to refugees and other immigrants speaking more than 100 languages. To communicate with them, FEMA offered language line interpretation, allowing non-English speaking survivors to get information in their native languages.
A FEMA-funded disaster case management grant was approved in April, allowing individuals and families to work with case managers to access a broad range of resources. Case managers will also work with non- English speakers who still need translation help to continue through the assistance process and receive eligible aid.
Housing was an early priority and remains a major challenge in Western Kentucky, a rural area already experiencing housing shortages. Nevertheless, disaster officials were able to find temporary shelter for displaced survivors before Christmas. Commonwealth officials led the effort, providing cabins in state parks and finding available hotel rooms. They purchased 200 travel trailers as a temporary solution. Even six months later, FEMA and the state continue to look for additional longer-term temporary housing.
In an effort to make more homes available to disaster survivors, FEMA’s housing officials agreed to increase the rental assistance rate to 125% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development fair market rent for eligible residents in Caldwell, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg and Warren counties. FEMA also began bringing in manufactured housing units for survivors who had no other options.
As of June 1, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have provided nearly $82 million in federal disaster assistance to Kentucky. That figure includes $15.5 million in housing assistance and other essential disaster-related needs, $58.4 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses, and $1.5 million to fund Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
Under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, communities get help with the cost of repair, rebuilding and emergency work including reimbursements for debris removal, damaged roads and infrastructure. For example, Marshall County was reimbursed $2.4 million for debris removal and Bowling Green was reimbursed $1.5 million for power restoration and repairs. As of June 1, the program has provided a total of $6.3 million in reimbursements, with more than 700 projects still under review.
FEMA also distributed information to help disaster-prone areas look ahead and strive for resilience. Hazard mitigation teams visited home improvement stores, where they offered tornado survivors advice and tips on how to reduce future disaster risks as they repair and rebuild their homes. Other mitigation teams visited schools, parks and resource fairs with a stormwater model designed to educate the public on the dangers of floodwater and ways to reduce flooding risks.
But help for Kentucky is not limited to restoring damaged buildings, clearing debris and learning about flood risk. Free crisis counseling has been available from the start to help survivors overcome feelings of depression, sadness or anxiety so common after a disaster. The counseling service will continue until January 2023.
Federal Coordinating Officer Brett Howard, who is leading the federal recovery operation, noted that FEMA is just one source of assistance. Disaster funding has also come from the state, local and other federal partners, non-profits, corporations and private donors. Insurance funds are flowing to individuals and communities for rebuilding.
The funding from all sources means that federal and state agencies must coordinate to ensure they are not paying double for the same work. Howard said these priorities are made easier by a strong partnership with state counterparts.
“The commonwealth has really stepped up and taken care of their citizens,” Howard said. “I’ve never seen anything like it: from funeral expenses, rebuilding … they are working hard every day.”
And FEMA staff are working right alongside them.
As Western Kentucky communities begin planning their rebuilding strategy, their residents are forming long-term recovery committees to help survivors still in need. Other committees, among them Mayfield Rebuilds, meet regularly to discuss their ideas for redevelopment. FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination team, in collaboration with federal partners including HUD, SBA, the Economic Development Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is helping to identify resources to support recovery.
The mountain of work ahead begins with a single pebble, with every Kentuckian playing a small part and everyone recognizing it will take time to realize the new vision.
“We will continue to work until we rebuild every structure and every life,” Beshear promised.
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Jeremy Slinker added, “Together, we are committed to meeting the needs of all people impacted by the storms as long as is necessary.”
Mayfield Mayor Kathy Stewart O’Nan can see her beloved city taking shape again, albeit in a new form. She points to a park restored with private donations, where 23 cherry trees were planted as a memorial to the city’s sons and daughters lost in the storm. It is a small step, but no less inspiring to residents who must plan for their future.
“It’s a healing process,” O’Nan said. “It’s devastating at first. Then you’re just trying to hold on. And then you think, ‘Let’s get back to normal.’ But when you accept it, that’s when you start moving forward.”
kiarash.ghiam Tue, 06/07/2022 - 20:13Preliminary Flood Maps for Lonoke County, Arkansas Ready for Public View
DENTON, Texas – Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in portions of the City of Cabot and unincorporated areas of Lonoke County, Arkansas.
Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.
For this Physical Map Revision, the FIRMs for Lonoke County serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.
FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.
Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Kurt.Pickering Tue, 06/07/2022 - 19:13Pages
