Storms

State Individual Assistance Program now available

January 29, 2010 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver has asked President Obama to declare 27 Iowa counties federal disaster areas after severe winter storms caused extensive damage in recent weeks. At a press conference this morning, the Governor spoke about the recent snow and ice storms, the state’s response, and how Iowa is working with federal partners to provide much- needed relief for those affected by the storms.    » read more »

State offices closed except for essential personnel

Jan 29, 2010 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Beebe declared a State of Emergency Friday morning in response to the ice and snow already in Arkansas and expected to continue accumulating throughout the day. The declaration carries with it up to $20,000 from the Governor's Disaster Fund for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management to supply additional support and resources if needed.

With road conditions expected to deteriorate as the day progresses, Beebe also declared that only those State employees designated as essential personnel by their agencies are required to report to work Friday.    » read more »

January 25, 2010 -- BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today said the Department of Emergency Services and other state and local agencies are continuing to work with communities impacted by the recent severe winter weather. Conditions are dangerous, and citizens are encouraged to exercise extreme caution to protect life and property.

Blizzard conditions, with gusts of up to 50 mph, developed this morning across North Dakota, which has delayed repair of downed power lines. An estimated 5,000 customers largely in rural areas were without power as of this morning. Rural areas in far northwestern, southwestern, south central and extreme southeastern North Dakota continue to experience power outages, and crews have been working extended hours to restore service.    » read more »

01/18/2010 -- In response to a series of powerful winter storms moving through California this week, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today directed his departments and agencies to take action to prepare and respond to the needs of affected Californians.

The storms are expected to bring high winds and heavy rain in some areas. Southern California could see three to six inches of rain for coastal and valley areas and as much as 10 inches in some mountain locations. Northern California could see even more rain, with forecasts of 10 to 20 inches of rain for coastal mountains and eight to 15 inches for inland valley and foothills.    » read more »

November 30, 2009 -- The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends today marking the close of a season with the fewest named storms and hurricanes since 1997 thanks, in part, to El Niño.

Nine named storms formed this year, including three hurricanes, two of which were major hurricanes at Category 3 strength or higher. These numbers fall within the ranges predicted in NOAA’s mid-season outlook issued in August, which called for seven to 11 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to two major hurricanes. An average season has 11 named storms and six hurricanes, including two major hurricanes.    » read more »

Thousands of New Jersey residents affected; various counties to receive state aid

November 16, 2009 -- NEW JERSEY – Today, U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2) praised Governor Jon Corzine’s swift action in issuing an emergency declaration for the areas hit by last week's Nor'easter.

The Jersey Shore was hit hard, causing beach erosion, destroying beach replenishment projects, flooding homes and businesses and displacing huge mounds of sand that blanketed inland side streets, sidewalks and driveways.    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today sent President Barack Obama a request for additional federal assistance for infrastructure damage in 46 counties impacted by the severe weather and storms from May 8 to May 16. This is in addition to Gov. Nixon's previous request for a disaster declaration from the federal government.

Damages to public property and infrastructure exceeded $48.7 million in the 46 counties canvassed by the federal/state/local joint damage assessment teams. This amount also includes damages to the public utilities and electric cooperatives, estimated at more than $37 million. Power was finally restored to all citizens over Memorial Day weekend, Gov. Nixon said.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the beginning of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season upon us, hurricane prone states across the country are doing their part to help prepare their citizens and communities. From sales tax holidays on hurricane and emergency preparedness equipment in Virginia and Louisiana, to a major hurricane exercise in Florida, states are taking actions to ensure that citizens and the emergency response community are prepared for the 2009 hurricane season.    » read more »

Foreclosure protection offered to displaced families in 10 counties

May 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to 10 storm-ravaged counties in Mississippi and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes in March.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today sent joint federal and state damage assessment teams to 28 counties in southern Missouri that were affected by the May 8 storm system that brought tornadoes, straight line winds and flash flooding. The teams will canvass areas with local officials, verifying damage to homes and businesses from the storm to support the Governor's request for Federal Disaster Assistance.

"It is imperative that our citizens receive help to recover from last week's devastating storms," Gov. Nixon said. "Many communities are still without power, and we are working diligently with local officials and the utility companies to expedite the recovery effort."    » read more »

April 14, 2009 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that the Presidential major disaster declaration for Minnesota now includes federal relief and recovery assistance for Roseau, Otter Tail, Pennington, Red Lake, Grant, Lake, Wadena and Mahnomen counties. The eight counties were added by FEMA today after damage assessments were completed last week.

“Flooding may have damaged infrastructure, but not the Minnesota spirit,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This federal assistance will help communities in these counties recover from damage caused by flooding this spring.”    » read more »

Apr 13, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today declared Ashley and Miller Counties as state disaster areas due to damage caused by last Thursday's severe storms. Beebe previously declared Howard, Polk and Sevier Counties on Friday.

Teams from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management are continuing their preliminary assessments of storm damage. Governor Beebe expects to request federal aid for individual storm victims within the next few days.

Arkansas 2-1-1 stands ready to help storm victims who need information about disaster services, as well as Arkansans who wish to volunteer or to provide help. The call to 2-1-1 is free.

Source: Arkansas Governor

April 10, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley on Friday asked President Obama to declare a major disaster area for 20 counties in Alabama that received damage from wind, rain and flooding recently.

Between March 30 and April 3, the 20 counties suffered an estimated $26 million in damage to roads, bridges and public buildings, the Governor said. In addition, 572 homes were affected by the severe storms in Covington, Geneva and Houston counties.

In addition to those three counties, Governor Riley’s disaster request covers Baldwin, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Henry, Lamar, Marengo, Perry, Russell, Washington and Wilcox counties.    » read more »

Resilient Missourians Recover From Raucous '08

March 26, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Winter storms, ice, flooding, and tornadoes made 2008 a year like few others in Missouri.

Beginning with the December 2007 ice storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinated recovery efforts for seven separate disasters that hit the state last year. More than $181 million in disaster assistance was provided to individuals, businesses and qualifying nonprofit organizations, and to state and local governments.    » read more »

March 11, 2009 -- HOLYOKE, MA. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now obligated in excess of $5 million to reimburse seven Massachusetts counties for the eligible costs associated with their response to the December 11, 2008 ice storm.

More than 277 Massachusetts communities and eligible private-non-profits in the seven declared counties, as well as several state agencies, have applied for federal assistance through FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program. These entities applied for aid to offset the costs of eligible resources associated with the state and local response during the incident period which lasted from December 11 through December 18, 2008.    » read more »