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
Wednesday 08th of February 2012
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What To Expect When The FEMA Inspector Visits
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ? The Federal Emergency Management Agency has inspectors in Chilton and Jefferson counties surveying damaged and destroyed homes and property. [more]
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Wash. State Receives FEMA Champion of Change Award
SEATTLE, Wash. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that the Washington State Emergency Management Division (WA-EMD) is the winner of one of the 2011 Community Preparedness National Awards. These FEMA award winners were honored as White House Champions of Change at a White House ceremony. [more]
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More Facts About the National Flood Insurance Program (pt. 2)
Windsor, Conn. — In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to enable property owners to protect themselves against flood losses. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. Today, more than 20,000 communities participate in the NFIP nationwide. [more]
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Disaster Recovery Centers in Louisa County and Spotsylvania County to Close
Midlothian, Va. — All FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will close at the end of business Saturday, February 11, 2012 state and federal officials have announced. DRCs are located in Louisa County at 520 E. Main St., Louisa, VA, and in Spotsylvania County at 8960 Courthouse Rd., Spotsylvania, VA. [more]
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Historic Home Preservation Assistance Provided Through FEMA and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — An awe-inspiring benefit of living in the Commonwealth of Virginia is that a simple stroll will often become a full embrace with the Commonwealth's heritage. History flows from irreplaceable homes and buildings that fill city streets and dot the countryside. Many of these historic structures suffered damage during the Virginia earthquake and private owners of these homes and buildings should register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). [more]
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Residency of FEMA Temporary Housing Units Drop Below 500
JOPLIN, Mo. — On February 6, households residing in Federal Emergency Management Agency mobile homes in Joplin dropped below 500, recovery officials said today. [more]
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Aid to Local Governments Helping Rebuild Pennsylvania Communities
HARRISBURG, Pa. — When disaster strikes, the first response is to ensure personal and family safety, and then address the loss of property and possessions. There is a federal disaster program - Individual Assistance (IA) - that responds to these urgent needs of individuals and business owners. [more]
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Albemarle County to Host an Informational Town Hall Meeting With FEMA, VDEM and SBA
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — Albemarle County is hosting The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and The Small Business Administration (SBA) to a Town Hall Meeting to provide information to Albemarle County residents who may have suffered damage from the August 23, 2011 earthquake. [more]
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Oklahomans Are Encouraged To Join The Great Central U.S. Shakeout
DENTON, Texas ? Nine states across the central U.S. will participate in The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10:15 a.m. CST. This second annual central U.S. ShakeOut is a public earthquake drill organized and coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and its Member and Associate States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Geological Survey, and dozens of other partners. FEMA is encouraging everyone across the central United States to participate in the event, including schools, businesses, governments and other organizations. [more]
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Arkansans Are Encouraged To Join The Great Central U.S. Shakeout
DENTON, Texas ? Nine states across the central U.S. will participate in The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10:15 a.m. CST. This second annual central U.S. ShakeOut is a public earthquake drill organized and coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and its Member and Associate States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Geological Survey, and dozens of other partners. FEMA is encouraging everyone across the central United States to participate in the event, including schools, businesses, governments and other organizations. [more]
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Louisa County's Thomas Jefferson Elementary School to Receive Over $3 Million in FEMA Assistance to Rebuild School
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — Natural disasters disrupt the daily routine of survivors' lives, and nowhere is a disrupted routine more evident than when a school is destroyed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding approximately $3.25 million dollars to rebuild Louisa County Public Schools' Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. [more]
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Alabama EMA and FEMA Announce Opening of Disaster Recovery Centers in Chilton County to Help Survivors
ATLANTA, Ga. — Two disaster recovery center are open in Chilton County to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding on January 22-23. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. [more]
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Alabama EMA and FEMA Announce Opening of Disaster Recovery Centers in Jefferson County to Help Survivors
ATLANTA, Ga. — Three disaster recovery centers are open in Jefferson County to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding on January 22-23. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. [more]
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Community Relations Teams Canvassing Areas Hit By Tornadoes in Chilton and Jefferson Counties
ATLANTA, Ga. — Community relations specialists from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are in Chilton and Jefferson counties reaching out to survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding on Jan. 22-23. [more]
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The Facts About the National Flood Insurance Program
Windsor, Conn. — Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are clearing up some misconceptions about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which offers federally-backed flood insurance to property owners and renters in communities that participate in the program. [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.