Disaster relief

November 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today confirmed that the counties of Lea, Curry, Quay and Roosevelt have been declared eligible for disaster assistance due to their proximity to Texas counties, which were declared disaster areas due drought and other disasters that occurred earlier this year.

As a result of the declaration, farmers and ranchers in Lea, Curry, Quay and Roosevelt counties are now eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide the state of Missouri with $37,801,428.07 in federal grant money to help repair damage resulting from the severe ice storms that swept through Southeast Missouri in January 2009.

According to FEMA, the state of Missouri is responsible for distributing the funding to the recipients. Specifically, the grants will go to:    » read more »

BOSTON – Monday, October 05, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has granted the Commonwealth’s request for federal disaster relief in 12 Massachusetts counties that suffered agricultural production losses due to this summer’s abnormally cool and rainy weather.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) wrote to President Obama to request a federal disaster declaration for Fresno County to assist the drought-stricken region in obtaining emergency food, job training, crisis counseling, legal services and unemployment assistance.

The federal assistance would help thousands of Fresno County residents who have lost their jobs and are struggling to feed their families because of severe drought conditions. A disaster declaration would also help ensure the long-term vitality of one of the nation’s leading agricultural areas.

The text of the letter follows:

June 22, 2009

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - After an appeal by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance to individuals has been made available to residents of Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery counties affected by recent flooding.

The announcement is a reversal of FEMA’s original decision denying Alabama’s request for assistance for individuals, and was announced just hours after an appeal was filed by Governor Riley on Friday, June 19.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Bruce Braley announced today that more than $8.5 million in federal and state funds have been identified and are in final approval for disaster recovery efforts around the state. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“I am proud to announce this new funding for the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District,” said Governor Culver. “This is one more sign that Iowa’s rebuilding efforts are continuing one year after the devastating floods and storms of 2008. Our work is far from finished, and I look forward to working with all Iowans as we build a stronger, safer, smarter Iowa.”    » read more »

USDA Announces Rural Business Grants For Disaster Relief Efforts; USDA Disaster Resources Include Assistance for Rural Businesses

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2009 - Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager today announced the selection of 49 rural businesses, communities and rural public entities to receive $4.7 million to assist in disaster relief efforts. The funds will go to Presidentially-declared disaster areas affected by floods and tornadoes.

"Rural Development is awarding more than $4.7 million in disaster relief funding to assist rural communities in 14 states." Tonsager said. "The funding announced today will help community groups, towns and Indian tribes rebuild and revitalize their communities and their lives."    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that more than $10 million in federal and state funds have been identified and are in final approval for disaster recovery efforts around the state. These funds are part of the effort to help rebuild infrastructure following the historic floods of 2008.

“No one will ever forget the devastation caused by the floods of 2008 in these three counties,” said Governor Culver. “But rebuilding continues, and one by one, communities are returning to normal. I appreciate the help of our federal partners, and I am proud to join with Congressman Loebsack in our common efforts at helping people who remain in need.”    » 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 »

2009 Spring Floods One of Worst Seasons on Record

May 25, 2009, Fairbanks, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has sent a letter to the federal government officially requesting a federal disaster declaration for the spring floods of 2009. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent preliminary damage assessment teams into the field last week and they are working their way down the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers village by village.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today requested that President Obama grant public assistance for 17 Oklahoma counties in the aftermath of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that battered parts of the state between April 25 and May 16.

The counties included are: Alfalfa, Cherokee, Choctaw, Craig, Dewey, Garfield, Garvin, Grant, Jefferson, Love, Major, Mayes, Nowata, Rogers, Tillman, Wagoner and Woods. More counties can be added to the request as additional information becomes available.    » read more »

05/15/2009 -- NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the federal government has approved his request for disaster assistance for Rutherford, McMinn, Sequatchie and Benton Counties following the severe weather, high winds and tornadoes that struck on April 10, 2009. Bredesen requested the federal disaster aid following damage assessments by federal, state and local emergency management officials.

Local governments and public utilities in the four approved counties are now eligible for Public Assistance Program funds from the federal government. The public assistance designation also covers emergency response and recovery costs incurred by state government.    » 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 »

State-of-the-Art, 51-Foot Rig Joins Company's Large Disaster-Recovery Fleet

May 14, 2009 -- BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Business has introduced a new 51-foot mobile command center equipped with the latest highly sophisticated communications equipment. The big rig also provides ample space for company employees, public officials and other emergency responders during natural disasters or human-caused events that affect Verizon's communications network in the U.S.    » read more »

May 7, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano unveiled the Department’s $55.1 billion FY 2010 budget request today, focused around five major priorities—counterterrorism; border security; enforcement of immigration laws; disaster preparedness, response and recovery; and Department unification—designed to create a leaner, smarter, more effective agency.    » read more »