May 24, 2008
Posted in:Hurricane Center, Disaster Planning, New Post — jeromeba @ 12:43 am
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Hurricane season officially starts June 1, and lasts through November 30.
If you live along the coast, keep your gas tank full and ensure you have an family plan and evacuation route maps.
For information on storm forecasts visit the Hurricane Center Page.
Current Watches, Warnings, and local Radar for your area.
TROPICAL STORM BARRY FORMS IN GULF OF MEXICO ON FIRST DAY OF HURRICANE SEASON
November 27, 2007
April 1, 2007
Posted in:New Post — jeromeba @ 12:36 pm
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FEMA: Press Releases and
Federal Disaster Declarations
Saturday 04th of July 2009
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FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Converts To SBA Disaster Loan Center
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), opened to help those affected by the severe storms and flooding of May 6-8, will convert to a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). [more]
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Federal Disaster Assistance To Missourians Tops $1.4 Million
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — More than $1.4 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for individuals and households in Missouri in the thirteen days since President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the state. The declaration is a result of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding May 8 - 16. [more]
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Statement From FEMA Administrator Fugate On Preparedness As We Approach Independence Day Weekend
"As we take this opportunity to observe the July 4th holiday with loved ones and friends, we are reminded of all we have to be thankful for and why it is so critical that we do all we can to protect our families and communities. I encourage all Americans to take a few simple steps to ensure that if and when your community is impacted by an emergency or disaster, you are prepared. [more]
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FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Meets With New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met today with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to discuss the critical relationship between FEMA, its federal partners, state and local officials and first responders. Earlier in the day he met with John Gibb, the New York State Director of Emergency Management, Lt Col Jerome Hatfield, the Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and local officials. Administrator Fugate stressed the critical role the preparedness of both emergency responders and more importantly the public will play in the next disaster. [more]
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FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Meets With New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met today with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to discuss the critical relationship between FEMA, its federal partners, state and local officials and first responders. Earlier in the day he met with John Gibb, the New York State Director of Emergency Management, Lt Col Jerome Hatfield, the Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and local officials. Administrator Fugate stressed the critical role the preparedness of both emergency responders and more importantly the public will play in the next disaster. [more]
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Return The SBA Application: Find Out If You Are Eligible For A FEMA Grant
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — If you received a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application when you registered for disaster assistance, you should fill it out and return it. You were given the application because there is a chance you will be eligible for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). [more]
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Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Polk County Wednesday
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA and SEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Bolivar Wednesday, July 8 from 1 to 7 p.m. for people affected by the May 8 - 16 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. [more]
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Myths And Facts About Floods And Flood Insurance
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Ninety percent of all natural disasters in the United States involve some degree of flooding. Even a few inches of water can cause extensive, costly damage. The overall risk of a loss from flooding is generally higher than the risk from fire. [more]
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Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Adair County Monday
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA and SEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Kirksville Monday, July 6 at 1 p.m. for people affected by the May 8 - 16 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. [more]
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FEMA Brings Rebuilding Advice To Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Many Kentuckians are seeking ways to prevent losses from future flooding and severe storms. Over the past several weeks, more than 10,000 have stopped by to ask for advice and information at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) community education outreach centers inside Lowe's stores in Pikeville, Paintsville and Hazard. Those centers ceased operations on Tuesday. On Thursday, July 2, FEMA opens new centers in Somerset, London and Corbin. [more]
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Tornado Disaster Assistance Approaching $6 Million For Five Counties
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– Federal funding for emergency housing, other needs assistance, low interest disaster loans and eligible public assistance now totals $5,725,055. This is assistance approved to date for Arkansas residents in the four Individual Assistance as well as the five Public Assistance counties declared for the storms and tornadoes on April 9, 2009. The application period closed on June 26. [more]
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Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Madison County Thursday
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA and SEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Fredericktown Thursday, July 2 at 1 p.m. for people affected by the May 8 - 16 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. [more]
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Kentucky Disaster Recovery Centers Open During Holiday
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Kentucky, located in Jackson and Pikeville, will remain open July 3 and 4 to help Kentuckians with questions related to the May storms and flooding disaster. However, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Langley, Booneville and Belfry will be closed on those days. [more]
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FEMA Aid Available Following Recent ND Storms And Flooding
BISMARCK, N.D. — Damages incurred from the recent severe storms and flooding may be eligible for individual assistance, according to state and federal disaster officials. [more]
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Use Your FEMA Funds Wisely And Well
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has to date distributed more than $4.1 million in housing assistance funds to help central Alabama residents affected by the severe storms and flooding of May 6-8. Officials from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and FEMA caution recipients to use their funds wisely and well. [more]
March 22, 2007
Posted in:Getting Help, About FEMA, New Post — jeromeba @ 10:41 am
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — According to officials with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the best source for information following a disaster is federal, state and voluntary agencies. Here are answers to some frequent questions:
Q: Does FEMA charge a fee for a home inspection?
A: No. FEMA never charges for an inspection.
Q: I have applied for disaster assistance before. Do I need to apply again?
A: Yes. Even if you applied for assistance for a previous disaster, you must apply again for this disaster.
Q: Will FEMA assistance affect my Social Security check?
A. No. Any aid you receive from FEMA will not affect your Social Security benefits, your state or federal retirement benefits, or your welfare status.
Q: If I got help from the American Red Cross, can I also get help from FEMA or the State?
A: Yes. FEMA and the State coordinate a number of programs to help disaster victims. These programs differ from the emergency food, clothing and shelter provided by the American Red Cross and other voluntary agencies.
Q: When I get help from the American Red Cross, am I automatically registered with FEMA?
A: No. Registering with the American Red Cross or any voluntary agency is not the same as registering with FEMA. If you are a homeowner, renter or business owner who has losses from the recent tornadoes, call the FEMA registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments should call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday. You can also register online at www.fema.gov.
Q: Is there enough money for everyone? My neighbor needs the money more than I do.
A: Yes. There are enough disaster funds to take care of every eligible applicant.
Q: Do I have to be poor to qualify for disaster aid?
A: No. Federal disaster aid programs may be available to those who suffered damage, regardless of income.
Q: Do I have to own a business to apply for a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration?
A: No. The SBA is the primary source of financial assistance following a disaster and provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, business, and non-profits.
Q: Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
A: No. The SBA has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility.
Q: If I rent an apartment, can I get help to replace my damaged personal property?
A: Yes. A renter may qualify for a FEMA grant or a SBA low-interest disaster loan to replace eligible personal property.
Q: Will FEMA pay for all home repairs or contract work?
A: No. FEMA provides grants to qualified homeowners to repair damage not covered by insurance but the grants may not pay for all the damage. Qualified borrowers who lack sufficient homeowner’s insurance may use an SBA loan to return their homes to pre-disaster condition.
Q: Do I have to repay money I receive for disaster relief?
A: You do not have to repay grant money but you must repay SBA loans.
Q: Are disaster relief payments taxable?
A: No. Qualified disaster relief payments are not taxable.
Individuals with questions about recovery assistance should call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, or visit www.fema.gov or the Alabama Emergency Management Agency Web site at ema.alabama.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
October 14, 2006
Posted in:Travel Trailers, Safety — jeromeba @ 5:42 pm
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With cold weather approaching, federal officials advise Hurricane Katrina survivors residing in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) travel trailers to take precautions with fire safety.
Fire safety is in the news for other reasons as well. October is Fire Prevention Month in Mississippi, where some 35,000 FEMA travel trailers are currently located, and National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 8-14.
FEMA urges anyone in a travel trailer to use only the built-in heater. Occupants should not use kerosene heaters, kitchen stoves or ovens, or electric space heaters.
“These trailers are equipped with heaters that are safe when used by occupants as instructed when we turn the trailer over to them,” said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi recovery. “Using unapproved devices for heat could lead to serious accident or injury.”
“Residents need to practice safety at all times,” Russo added. “Even those who’ve used these heaters before should re-familiarize themselves with how to use them safely.”
Most of the travel trailers are equipped with propane heaters, which automatically vent to the outdoors. However, using the oven or stove for heat may deplete oxygen in the trailer, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that causes dizziness, headaches and possibly death. Residents should make sure the carbon monoxide detector is working correctly and that heater vents on the outside of the trailer are not blocked or covered. All FEMA travel trailers that have propane heaters also have carbon monoxide detectors.
Fire Program Specialist Kathy Gerstner of the U.S. Fire Administration, a sister agency of FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, offers several fire prevention tips for residents of travel trailers:
- If it doesn’t seem safe, don’t do it;
- Shut off all appliances before leaving home;
- Know where the propane shutoff valve is located and how to shut it off;
- Keep flammable materials away from the stove top;
- Know where the fire extinguisher is in the unit and learn how to use it;
- Learn how to use the emergency window opening devices in the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline or other flammable liquids in or under the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline-powered vehicles or equipment in the trailer;
- Never smoke in bed.
Finally, firefighters at every level stress the importance of having a working smoke detector. Batteries should be replaced twice a year, and officials suggest doing so when changing between daylight and standard time.
“We want everyone to be comfortable and safe this winter,” said Russo. “If those in a travel trailer or mobile home feel their health or safety is in danger at any time, they should leave immediately and contact local emergency officials.”
For maintenance or repairs, trailer residents may call the Maintenance/Applicant Support Center at 1-866-877-6075. The center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.