Disaster relief

June 20, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) joined members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to the President in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for the 21 Illinois counties affected by severe flooding.

Illinois flooding, June 2008: Photo by Jim Simonson (CC)    » read more »

INDIANAPOLIS (06/16/2008) - Soldiers and Airmen from the Indiana National Guard began returning to home stations Sunday after spending eight days fighting floodwaters in southwest Indiana.

Sixty Soldiers from Joint Task Force-81 will remain behind in the vicinity of East Mount Carmel and New Harmony, Ind., working with local responders to observe the water level at local levees.    » read more »

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Army National Guard flew one of its CH-47 Chinook helicopters into Cedar Rapids on Monday to help the town turn its water back on. The massive helicopters were used to pluck seven electrical pumps from a well field in Northwest Cedar Rapids still under water. Water receded enough by Saturday for the pumps to be above water.

National Guard flood relief, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: An employee from the Cedar Rapids Water Utility prepares to attach a lift cable from an Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook to a damaged water pump on the Iowa River near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt Jack Braden    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Jim Nussle, asking his support for the inclusion of emergency funds in the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill to ensure critical relief is provided to the areas affected by the recent storms and subsequent flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.    » read more »

06/17/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire sent a joint letter to President George Bush today expressing strong opposition to the Administration's proposal to remove $70 million in emergency disaster assistance for fishing families, communities and businesses impacted by the closure of the salmon season, and they urged President Bush to reconsider his opposition to helping these families in need.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – After traveling to several Illinois communities to assess storm damage and help with flood preparations, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today went to the floor of the Senate to commend the residents, volunteers, emergency workers and more than 400 members of the Illinois National Guard who are working to brace Illinois for the floodwaters.

Senator Durbin also spoke of the need for federal help as the resources in the state can not absorb the severity of the flood.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that individuals in Columbia, Crawford, Racine, Richland, Milwaukee, Sauk, and Vernon counties affected by the recent severe storms and floods that began on June 5, 2008 will be eligible to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to unemployed workers who worked or were self employed if they:

* worked or were self employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self employment, in one of the affected counties; or were unable to reach their employment because they must travel though the affected area;    » read more »

Anticipates spending in excess of $15 Million for recent disasters

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 — The American Red Cross anticipates spending millions as it moves forward with relief efforts for the victims of flooding and tornadoes across seven states, an enormous geographic area. From Kansas to West Virginia, the Red Cross is present with vast amounts of clean up supplies, dozens of shelters and tens of thousands of meals.    » read more »

INDIANAPOLIS – With the help of an advanced counterdrug aircraft, the Indiana National Guard has received live footage of flood damage throughout the state to assist with missions and help local governments plan to repair the damage.

Reconnaissance Cargo 26B aircraft used to photograph Indiana flood damage: The 130th Airlift Wing out of Charleston, W.V., flew the Reconnaissance Cargo - 26B (RC-26B) aircraft over Indiana June 11 to provide aerial footage of flood for the public. US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Marvin Cornell    » read more »

Widespread Flooding Throughout Wisconsin Causes Road Closures and Evacuations

June 09, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle tonight declared a state of emergency for 29 counties due to severe storms and flooding.

Flooding in Milwaukee area, Wisconsin, June 2008: Photo by Tracy Apps (CC)

The counties include: Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Lafayette, LaCrosse, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties.    » read more »

TERRE HAUTE - As the Air National Guard’s 181st Intelligence Wing and the Army National Guard’s 519th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion personnel made their way toward Hulman Field, they had an idea what their mission was going to be during June’s drill weekend.

National Guard fills sandbags in Indiana: 181 Intelligence Wing, Terre Haute, Ind., continuously fill sand bags in relief following the flood waters that hit early Saturday morning. Photo by SSgt Chris Jennings, 181IW/PA

More than six inches of rain dumped into the Wabash Valley on Friday evening and well into Saturday morning, stranding motorists and pouring storm water into local residents' homes.    » read more »

AUGUSTA, Maine, June 3, 2008 -- Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to people whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of the recent severe storms and flooding in Aroostook and Penobscot Counties. Those who were prevented from starting a new job or self-employment, or who are no longer working normal hours due to this disaster may also qualify for DUA assistance.

The deadline to register for DUA is approaching. Residents of Aroostook County must apply by June 13 and residents of Penobscot County must apply by June 18.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- Oklahoma City -- Federal authorities have approved public assistance for Craig, Latimer and Ottawa counties to help those communities recover from the deadly May 10 tornadoes.

Public assistance will deliver federal funding to assist cities, towns and counties with infrastructure repairs and costs associated with responding to the May 10 storms. Assistance for individuals has already been approved.

“I am thankful that FEMA and President Bush have responded quickly to help these communities,” Gov. Henry said. “The damage resulting from these storms was some of the worst I have ever seen, and these communities need help repairing buildings and power lines and covering the cost of debris removal.”    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Preliminary reports of tornadoes and severe storm conditions around Kearney indicate damage. The State has activated Nebraska’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Lincoln.

Due to a damaged power line, the portion of Interstate-80 between Aurora and York will be closed immediately.

EOC includes cooperation between several key state agencies, including:
the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nebraska State Patrol, State Fire Marshall, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Roads, Nebraska National Guard, and the Department of Environmental Quality.    » read more »

Federal Disaster Assistance Coming

May 28, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today signed the latest disaster-relief agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make federal individual-assistance funds available to storm victims in Arkansas and Phillips Counties. On the night of May 10, an EF3 tornado struck Stuttgart in Arkansas County and straight-line winds did significant damage in Phillips County. In addition to individual assistance for storm victims, Arkansas County is also qualified for public assistance to help cover the costs of rebuilding infrastructure in and around Stuttgart.    » read more »