FEMA Blog

Posted by: Public Affairs

We continue to support the affected states and the entire emergency management team in the ongoing recovery, from the severe storms in the Midwest to the heavy flooding along the Mississippi River.

Throughout every step of the process, we continue to work with our partners to support those impacted by the recent disasters. Here are some of recent shots from our photo library that show the emergency management team in action:


Joplin, Mo., May 29, 2011 -- FEMA personnel work inside a Mobile Emergency Response Support vehicle, equipped with video and telephone communications equipment. FEMA is supporting the ongoing recovery efforts in Joplin, Mo., providing assistance to disaster survivors and the affected community.


Joplin, Mo., May 26, 2011 -- Administrator Craig Fugate surveys a damaged fire station with a Joplin firefighter. Visit the disaster page for the latest updates on the Joplin recovery.


Denning, Ark., May 25, 2011 -- Donna Wood, a Red Cross worker, talks to a resident of Denning, Ark., whose home, in the background, was damaged when a tornado ripped through the area.


Big Rock, Tenn., May 24, 2011 - Larry Combs, Chase Lewis and Daniel Lewis replace power lines knocked down by a tornado which struck May 23. FEMA supports and helps fund replacement of public equipment and facilities.


Sipsey, Ala., May 24, 2011 -- Members of the Florida Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Association are helping a homeowner cut and pull debris to the street for county pickup. Faith-based volunteers are important partners with FEMA in helping survivors recover from the deadly April tornado.


Pineville, La., May 23, 2011 -- Logistics teams at the staging area in Camp Beauregard load what are known as commonly used shelter items kits now part of the commodities delivered to shelters in the event of a disaster.


Memphis, TN, May 23, 2011 -- James Zemlicka, Hazard Mitigation specialist, answers questions for a Lowe's customer on rebuilding safely. Hazard Mitigation representatives are located at Lowe's and Home Depot stores throughout western Tennessee.


Brayton, Tenn., May 17, 2011 -- David Rodriguez, an applicant assistant specialist, interviews Dorothy L.Green (right), Peggy Giunta and her son Haeden Gray. The applicant interview is an important part of the recovery process.


Vicksburg, Miss., May 18, 2011 -- Shnader Bellegrade, FEMA community relations specialist, collaborates with Todd Hallbaur of the American Red Cross regarding assistance for evacuated survivors of the floods in Vicksburg Miss.


Pratt City, Ala., May 17, 2011 – Steve Huffstutler, FEMA community relations specialist, explains the registration process to a homeowner that had some damage to her house. Teams community relations staff are going door-to- door in communities to encourage people to register for assistance and answer questions about the process.

Posted by: W. Montague Winfield, Federal Coordinating Officer

Over the past month and a half, the Central U.S. has experienced a host of disasters – from the historic flooding along the Mississippi River to deadly tornadoes and severe storms that claimed hundreds of lives.

I wanted to take a minute to provide an update on the ongoing recovery efforts in the Volunteer State and make sure that survivors have the information they need to register with FEMA for disaster assistance.

I’m proud to say that since President Obama made federal disaster assistance available on May 1, Tennessee has been approved for more than $9 million in federal aid. These funds have been approved for individuals to help with temporary housing, cover essential disaster-related needs or to provide low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners.

Through a team of federal, state, voluntary, faith- and community-based groups, we continue to get the word out that disaster assistance is available to those affected by the storms. To date, nearly 5,700 individuals have visited joint FEMA/Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers in affected counties.


Memphis, TN, May 24, 2011 -- FEMA Applicant Assistant Andres Lugo answers questions for an applicant at the Hope Shelter DRC. Disaster Recovery Centers are set up at the Shelby County Shelters so that applicants have easy access to FEMA. Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

Representatives from FEMA, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies staff these centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for assistance. Check out this video as a disaster survivor goes through the various stations at a Disaster Recovery Center – even though it’s from North Carolina, the scene is very similar in Tennessee, too:



I ask that you keep those affected by the storms and flooding in Tennessee in your thoughts and prayers.  And if you or someone you know has been affected by the disaster in Tennessee, there are four easy ways to register:

• Call 800-621-FEMA (3362), individuals with a speech or hearing impairment may call (TTY) 800-462-7585
• Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov
• Visit m.fema.gov on your smartphone
• Visit a Disaster Recovery Center

For the latest on the Tennessee disaster recovery, visit the disaster page.

And help us get the word out by placing this widget on your website:



<iframe width="240" height="560" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" frameborder="0" src="http://www.fema.gov/help/widgets/tn_disasters.html " title="TN Disaster Info">

Posted by: Public Affairs


Hackleburg, AL, May 29, 2011 -- Secretary Napolitano and Congressman Aderholt meet with volunteers at the Hackelburg volunteer coordination center.


Yesterday, as part of the Obama administration's ongoing commitment to assisting the long-term recovery efforts of communities affected by recent severe weather, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano surveyed the progress made in response and recovery efforts in the month following the storms and tornadoes that struck the Southeast region this spring.

She was joined by Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), Hackleburg Mayor Douglas Gunnin, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Byrne in Hackleburg.

Secretary Napolitano remarked:

We are proud to be part of a great team of state partners, local governments, faith based groups, survivors, long-term community recovery organizations and volunteers who have worked around the clock to help with response and recovery efforts-and we will not leave until the job is finished. The Obama administration remains focused on helping Hackleburg and communities throughout Alabama continue their progress towards rebuilding and recovering to be stronger than before.

Congressman Aderholt also noted:

We are on the road to recovery and we are on it together. I'm encouraged by the relief efforts that continue on the ground, as well as the coordination between all officials and organizations involved in the recovery process. I know Alabamians strength and resiliency will see us through and Alabama will come back, better than ever.

As part of the visit, Secretary Napolitano:

• Joined Congressman Aderholt, Mayor Gunnin, a member of the Red Cross of Central Alabama, and other Alabama officials to tour Hackleburg High School to survey damages, discuss recovery efforts, and met with the Marion County School Superintendent, Hackleburg High School Principal and students who graduated with the high school's senior class on Friday.
• Visited the Northwest Alabama United Way Volunteer Center where she met with first responders, as well as the survivors and families who have assisted in the community's recovery efforts over the past month.
• Met with community leaders at Hackleburg's town hall to discuss the ongoing disaster relief efforts and the progress made within the community.

On April 27, Alabama received a FEMA Emergency Declaration, and on April 28, President Obama issued a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities recover from the damage inflicted by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding-qualifying residents for individual assistance and Federal assistance.

As of May 27, 2011, FEMA has opened 28 Disaster Relief Centers across Alabama, including one in Franklin County to support the Hackleburg area.

The entire Obama administration has been deeply involved in response and recovery efforts since the storms first hit, including:

• On May 1, Secretary Napolitano joined Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Administrator Craig Fugate and Small Business Administration Administrator Karen Mills to survey the damage and the early response and recovery efforts underway in Alabama and Mississippi.
• On May 26, DHS Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute traveled to Joplin, Missouri to tour the damaged areas and meet with state and local officials and first responders on the ground.
• Early last week, Administrator Craig Fugate, Deputy Administrator Richard Serino and other senior DHS officials traveled to the Joplin area following the devastating tornadoes on May 22, 2011 -- working on behalf of President Obama to coordinate the ongoing federal disaster response.
• Yesterday, President Obama visited Joplin to personally survey the damage and discuss response and relief efforts with first responders on the ground.

Joplin, MO, May 26, 2011 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute (left) tours tornado damage with Kathy Sullivan, Assistant Secretary of the Department oF commerce/National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, in a neighborhood near St. John's Regional Medical Center.



Joplin, MO, May 26, 2011 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate listen to first responders describe events surrounding Sunday evening's tornado in Joplin.


Families and individuals that have been impacted by the tornadoes and storms, and need assistance have several options for getting help:

• Registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov,
• Registering through a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or
• Calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

We'll continue to post updates on the Alabama disaster page and this blog, so check back often.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Editor’s note: the blog post is cross-posted from the White House blog and updated May 30 with a video and photos.



Today, President Obama traveled to Joplin, Missouri to meet with those in the community who lost so much in the tornados last week and participate in a Memorial Service at Missouri Southern University.




President Barack Obama hugs a woman who lost a loved one, during the memorial service for victims of the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, May 29, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)


Before the Memorial Service, President Obama visited one of the neighborhoods that was devastated by the tornadoes. After seeing the extensive tornado damage the President spoke to the people of Joplin and reminded them that they are not alone in this tragedy:

The main thing I just want to communicate to the people of Joplin is this is just not your tragedy. This is a national tragedy and that means there will be a national response.   Craig Fugate, who has probably been the busiest man in the federal government over this last bit of months, has been on the ground since just the day after this happened, and he's helping to coordinate with an outstanding team of state and local officials. We're going to do everything we can to continue whatever search and rescue remains. We are doing everything we can to make sure that folks get the shelter that they need, the support that they need.

President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press during his tour of neighborhoods devastated by last week’s tornado in Joplin, Missouri, May 29, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)


The President also thanked all of the volunteers and community members who are lending a hand to their neighbors during this difficult time:

So to all the volunteers who are helping out -- one of the things that's been incredible is to see how many people from out of state have driven from as far a way as Texas, nearby Illinois, people just coming here to volunteer -- firefighters, ordinary citizens. It’s an example of what the American spirit is all about. And that gives us a lot of encouragement at a time when obviously people are going through a lot of hardship.

During the Memorial Service, the President spoke of the strength of the community coming together in response to the storm:

How we respond when the storm strikes is up to us. How we live in the aftermath of tragedy and heartache, that’s within our control. And it's in these moments, through our actions, that we often see the glimpse of what makes life worth living in the first place.

In the last week, that’s what Joplin has not just taught Missouri, not just taught America, but has taught the world. I was overseas in the aftermath of the storm, and had world leaders coming up to me saying, let the people of Joplin know we are with them; we’re thinking about them; we love them. (Applause.)

Because the world saw how Joplin responded. A university turned itself into a makeshift hospital. (Applause.) Some of you used your pickup trucks as ambulances, carrying the injured -- (applause) -- on doors that served as stretchers. Your restaurants have rushed food to people in need. Businesses have filled trucks with donations. You’ve waited in line for hours to donate blood to people you know, but also to people you’ve never met.

Learn how you can lend your support to the people of Joplin.



President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a memorial in honor of the survivors of the devastation from a F5 tornado on May 22nd in Joplin, Missouri, May 29, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Posted by: Public Affairs

The survivors of the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri, in Alabama and Mississippi, and in all other states currently recovering from disasters have been through a lot and we are committed to helping them every step of the way.

When survivors apply for individual disaster aid through FEMA, their needs are assessed based on a number of factors, based on eligibility requirements laid out under federal law. After a survivor registers with FEMA, they receive a letter from us explaining the status of their application, and whether or not they will receive assistance.

We know the recipients of these letters may have questions about what they mean, especially when coping with tragic and heartbreaking circumstances. We wanted to take a few minutes to explain what options people have when receiving these notices:

If you receive a letter from FEMA saying you are not eligible for assistance, it does not necessarily mean your case is closed. If your letter says you’re not eligible for assistance, it also tells you how to appeal the decision or what additional information you need to provide to FEMA, in order for your case to be reviewed again.

Before you begin your appeal process, read the letter carefully – and ask for help if you don’t understand any part of it – FEMA may only need you to provide additional information.

Sometimes people do not qualify for financial help right away. For instance, FEMA may not have received information on your insurance settlement. Under federal law, FEMA cannot duplicate assistance that comes from insurance benefits or other government sources, but FEMA’s initial determination of ineligibility may change if private insurance or other government assistance is not sufficient to cover all the eligible damage.

Some of the reasons for an initial turn down can be:

• You might not have gotten your insurance settlement;
• You may not have given FEMA all the information we need;
• You haven’t given us proof of ownership or residence;
• You may not have returned the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan application;
• You may not have provided records that showed the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster;
• You may not have signed essential documents.

Bottom line – these letters are the start of a conversation between you and FEMA, and not the end.

You can call the helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 or visit a disaster recovery center, where you can talk with someone about your particular situation. Either way, you can get more information about what to do next.

And you can give information to FEMA that might change our determination about your status. So again, everyone should read their letters carefully, ask questions, ask for help, and tell us if you think we got it wrong. We are here to serve you – the disaster survivor – and it is your right to ask us to reconsider our decision.

Posted by: Rich Serino, Deputy Administrator

As part of the FEMA team, we see a lot of disasters. Each is unique and yet, surprisingly similar. Across the board, disasters are devastating. Whether they touch one person or 1,000, lives are changed forever.  There is heartache. And there are heroes.

This spring has been particularly harsh. Much of our country has felt the cruel wrath of nature.

Joplin, Missouri is among the latest examples.

Last Sunday, an EF-5 tornado brutalized an estimated one-third of Joplin, a city in the southwestern corner of the state. So far, more than 130 lives have been lost. Search and rescue efforts continue but there is worry that more victims will be found.

I went to Joplin to look, to listen, and to see what FEMA can do to help. Amid the shock, sadness and fear of the unknown, I found amongst the survivors great resilience and a determination to recover.

So many people were focused on helping their neighbors when they, themselves, had lost everything. Like Joplin Fire Chief Mitch Randles. Thankfully, the most important thing to him – his family – survived. Everything else Chief Randles had is gone. Yet he's tirelessly worked to help find survivors, suppress fires, and meet the challenges of a community in need.

There are others, too. I saw first responders dig through rubble in hailstorms and blinding rain to search for and rescue survivors. Volunteer and faith-based groups have fed, sheltered, and comforted many. They’ve helped move debris that stretches for miles.

Businesses have brought in food, water, equipment and supplies. They’ve provided free phone calls or Internet access to help family members and friends find one another. They’ve washed clothes. They’ve powered lights. And they’ve brought hope.

Local leaders truly stand out as well. They’ve provided calm and decisive leadership. They've listened. They've asked for help when it was needed. Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr is among those who have led by example in the face of heart-wrenching adversity.

The state and federal governments have marshaled numerous resources to support Joplin and help give it a fighting chance to recover.

Response and recovery in Joplin has truly been a "whole community" effort. Lives have been saved, and there are so many great examples of what individuals, business owners, volunteer organizations, and government can do when they work together as a team, even under the toughest circumstances.

As we say thank you to everyone on the ground in Joplin, this Memorial Day weekend, we honor those in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice and say thank you to their families for their service.

Posted by: Public Affairs

As National Hurricane Preparedness Week comes to a close, we wanted to share tips on how to prepare both your home and families before, during, and after severe tropical weather.  All week, we've been sharing ways you can get prepared for the various hazards associated with a hurricane, so we wanted to end the week with a more tips on protecting your home and family from a hurricane.

In addition to the tips below, you can get more information on preparing for hurricanes and tropical storms at www.Ready.gov/hurricanes.

Tips for protecting your home:

• Make plans to secure your property.  Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows.  A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.  Close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• If a storm is imminent, turn off utilities if instructed to do so.  Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.  Also remember to turn off propane tanks.
• After a storm, carefully walk around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage.  If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

Tips for keeping your family safe:

• Remember to include items like a flashlight, hand-crank radio, and a solar powered cell phone charger to your emergency kit.  Hurricanes often bring power outages, so be sure your emergency kit can sustain your family for at least 72 hours after the storm.
• Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.  After a disaster, cell phone networks may be congested, so teach your family how to send and read text messages as a way to get in touch after a hurricane.
• Make copies of important family documents such as insurance policies, identification and bank account records. Store them in a waterproof container.
• Know where you will find the latest information if a storm is approaching. If you have a smartphone, bookmark useful sites like http://hurricanes.gov/mobile to track the storm's path, and http://m.fema.gov to find safety tips.

There is no better time to prepare for an emergency than now. Hurricane season is right around the corner (starting June 1), so we hope you'll take steps today to get prepared.

Other blog posts for National Hurricane Awareness Week
- Day 1: What we're doing to prepare
- Day 2: Storm surge
- Day 3: Wind danger
- Day 4: Inland flooding
- Day 5: The team effort
- Day 6: Make a plan

Posted by: Rachel Racusen, Director of Public Affairs

In the past few days, we've heard questions about what percentage of funding FEMA covers for aid to disaster survivors and states when a presidential disaster declaration is approved for a given area.

As Administrator Fugate took a few minutes to explain, there is a difference between the "cost-share" or funding responsibility FEMA takes on for individual disaster survivors and for states.

If you are an individual living in a disaster area that has been approved for individual assistance, which can help cover repair or replacement costs for your home, FEMA covers the entire amount of aid you are eligible for. There is no "cost-share" – whatever the amount of aid you are awarded, which depends on your personal need and circumstances, is 100 percent funded by the federal government. For Other Needs Assistance, another type of individual aid which can cover other personal losses or basic needs like medical and dental assistance, funeral costs, clothing, household items or supplies for school or work, FEMA covers 75 percent of the costs and the state covers 25 percent of the costs.

Under federal law, for states and localities eligible for FEMA Public Assistance, there is a cost-share, or shared responsibility among the federal government and state. FEMA always covers a minimum of 75 percent of expenses for states that are declared eligible for this kind of assistance. That percentage may be adjusted to a greater amount based on the severity and the total cost of a disaster.

Public assistance covers needs like debris removal, emergency protective measures the state takes immediately during a disaster response (such as evacuations, equipment for first responders, or police barricades), and longer-term rebuilding of critical infrastructure, like schools, roads and firehouses, to name a few.

Again, it's important to remember that FEMA is just part of the team that provides resources for individuals, states and local governments following a disaster. There are many other types of aid that our federal partners and other members of the team, from voluntary agencies to private sector organizations, bring to bear -- and different rules may govern those types of aid. Additionally, FEMA Public Assistance cannot duplicate benefits and many times public entities do carry insurance. In the coming weeks, FEMA and the states will continue to meet with local jurisdictions to go over specific information on insurance coverage and needs.

And as Craig says, if you are an individual, the amount of aid you may receive may be different than your neighbor. Your eligibility for FEMA aid is always based on your unique situation and your unmet needs. And we work with you to determine how to best provide that assistance. We know this is an incredibly trying time for so many people, and we continue to encourage all survivors to register for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY 1-800-462-7585), or by going online to http://www.disasterassistance.gov or applying directly from your smartphone at m.fema.gov.

Posted by: Public Affairs

We wanted to share two stories from Joplin, Mo. about the ongoing recovery efforts:

• In case you missed it, Administrator Fugate shared an update on Joplin in an interview this morning with National Public Radio. He also focused on the role of the federal government after a disaster strikes.
• Yesterday, players from the National Football League met with disaster survivors and surveyed damages in Joplin, and here are some of the articles recapping the visits.
• joplinglobe.com: Bradford, teammates provide smiles in Joplin (May 27)
• espn.com: Rams giving $25,000 to tornado relief (May 27)
• nbcsports.com: Rams players, DeMaurice Smith will visit Joplin (May 25)

As the recovery continues in Joplin, we'd like to say "thank you" to the entire emergency management team - state and local officials, the private sector, voluntary, community, and faith-based groups, and especially the public - as we work together to support disaster survivors and the affected community.

We will continue to provide updates on this blog, so check back often.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Severe weather outlook
This Memorial Day weekend, forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for potentially severe weather in many parts of the U.S., including:

• continued flooding along the Mississippi River, and in parts of the Great Plains,
• the eastern half of the country will experience high temperatures than normal through the weekend, and
• severe drought conditions across the south, stretching from parts of Arizona into Florida.

Visit the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center for a full forecast, and make sure to take steps to get prepared for the hazards in your area at Ready.gov.

President Obama, Administrator Travels to Tornado Impacted States
On Sunday, President Obama and Administrator Fugate will be in Joplin, Missouri to meet with the governor and other state and local officials and continue to assess the damage. Also on Sunday, Secretary Napolitano will join Congressman Robert Aderholt to visit Hackleburg, Alabama survey ongoing recovery and response efforts on the ground following the tornadoes and severe storms that devastated the region last month.

Ongoing recovery efforts
We’ve had several blog posts about our role in the ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts, from the historic flooding along the Mississippi River to the devastating tornadoes that struck several states in the southeast, Minnesota, and Missouri. You can see our latest updates on the Severe Storms / Tornadoes or Floods categories of the blog, or

• Check out Administrator Fugate’s recent interview with National Public radio, talking about the high volume of recent disasters and FEMA’s role,
• Our multimedia and photo libraries have the latest images and video from our ongoing disaster recovery efforts.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week
In addition to the disaster updates this week on the blog, we’ve also been emphasizing getting prepared for hurricane season, which starts June 1. Check out this week’s blog posts on hurricane preparedness listed below, and be sure to visit Ready.gov/hurricanes for more information on getting prepared for severe tropical weather.

- Day 1: What we’re doing to prepare
- Day 2: Storm surge
- Day 3: Wind danger
- Day 4: Inland flooding
- Day 5: The team effort
- Day 6: Make a plan

Posted by: Public Affairs

Since the deadly tornadoes first struck parts of the country last week, the federal government has been in constant contact with all of the impacted states as they responded to and began recovery efforts from these devastating storms.

The administration, through FEMA, is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear to support Missouri and the other states devastated by the deadly tornadoes and storms this weekend.

Through our regional offices in Kansas City, MO and Chicago, IL, has been in close contact and coordination with the states since the storms first struck, and has already deployed staff and resources to the impacted areas in Missouri to help with response needs.

Here is a recap of the support efforts of the federal family today:

Friday, May 27

• As of 7 am on May 27, more than 2,500 Missourians affected by the Sunday tornadoes in the Joplin area, in Jasper and Newton counties, have applied for assistance, and more than $2.8 million in assistance has been approved. Tornado survivors in those counties can apply for federal disaster aid, either by phone, online, or on their mobile phones. To register, survivors can call (800) 621-3362 / TTY (800) 462-7585, apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or apply on their smartphones at m.fema.gov.
• FEMA has a second Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) open in the Joplin area. The center is staffed by state, voluntary agency and federal personnel to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by recent storms and tornadoes. At a DRC, representatives from FEMA, state and other agencies meet one on one with disaster survivors, explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid. For locations and hours log onto www.fema.gov/drclocator.
• As a result of collaboration with members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, areas near Joplin are displaying a FEMA disaster assistance message that includes the FEMA teleregistration number, the disaster assistance website, a TTY number and a reference to multilingual operators. Similar digital billboards are also displayed in parts of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, in areas affected by severe storms last month.
• FEMA personnel join state and local officials to begin joint preliminary damage assessments in Oklahoma.
• FEMA personnel join state and local officials to begin joint preliminary damage assessments in Franklin County, Arkansas.

See yesterday's recap of federal support efforts on the blog.

Posted by: David Kaufman, Director, Office of Policy and Program Analysis

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week, so as we get prepared for the present, the emergency management community is also planning for the future and looking at nine different factors (or what we call drivers) that will affect the future of emergency management.

The Strategic Foresight Initiative was launched so the emergency management community can seek to understand how the world is changing, and how those changes may affect the future of emergency management. Over 550 members of the emergency management community, including Federal, state, local, and tribal first responders and emergency management professionals, as well as individuals from the private sector and academia, have been engaged in the Initiative through a variety of forums.

The Initiative developed papers to provide some discussion about what the world might look like over the next 15 years, specifically as it relates to the emergency management community to support long-term planning and decision making.

Today I want to highlight two of the nine factors we are analyzing: (1) trends in American demographics and (2) how individuals and government use and access information. Here’s an excerpt from our findings:

(U.S. Demographic Shifts)

For example, where the larger population settles could affect what and how many resources emergency managers will need. Additionally, the implications of internal migration due to major disasters could significantly impact the future emergency management environment.

…The growth in metropolitan America has a number of implications for emergency management, including buildings possibly be putting in more vulnerable areas (e.g. the coast), evacuations becoming more difficult (which could be compounded by aging infrastructure), access to medical resources could become strained, the consequences of microclimate changes could be magnified, infrastructure could become more vulnerable, and community structure and culture changes may occur as population increases.

(Access to and Use of Information)

The explosion of social media and personal communications technology will continue to increase real-time access and delivery of information. We already see a significant amount of “spontaneous reporting” where individuals at or near the scene of an incident instantly post video, images, text messages, etc. from their personal communications device. This, combined with the 24/7 news cycle and the growth non-traditional sources of news such as social media, has created an environment of constant information flow that presents both with great opportunities (e.g., crisis mapping of the Haiti Earthquake) and challenges (information overload). The new patterns of information flow have changed the role of the mainstream/traditional media while making it increasingly difficult for emergency management to break through the cluttered information market.

For more information, read the full summary of findings for these two drivers and visit the Strategic Foresight Initiative web page.

Over the next few months, I’ll write additional blog posts about the other key drivers. In the mean time, I invite you to post any comments, thoughts, or suggestions about these drivers and how they may impact emergency management, or any other thoughts you have about the future of emergency management.

Posted by: Mike Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer


Birmingham, AL, May 20, 2011 -- At the FEMA/State Joint Field Office, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Bryne and State Coordinating Officer Jeff Byard refer to a map showing damage areas from the deadly April tornado. FEMA and the state are partners in disaster response.

One month after the devastating tornado outbreak in Alabama, our goal remains the same: helping the state, its communities and its people recover from the damage and dislocation caused by the storms.

Our priorities are a livable home, removal of debris and rebuilding of homes, businesses and public facilities. This effort is guided by commitment and compassion.

The tornadoes killed 238 people. The memory of these losses compels us to make sure a rebuilt
Alabama is stronger and safer.

It’s been truly inspiring to see the outpouring of support from Alabamians and those around the country – whether it’s sending a monetary donation to a voluntary agency, donating time to pitch in with the cleanup efforts or praying for disaster survivors.

As the massive debris cleanup continues, we are encouraging those in Alabama affected by the
tornadoes and severe storms that struck on April 27 to register for disaster assistance.
To date, FEMA has approved $44.1 million in disaster relief for individuals and households. There have been more than 21,000 visits to disaster recovery centers, where survivors can get more information on the recovery process.

And through the hard work of our community relations specialists, we’ve been getting the word out to residents in both densely populated and rural areas about applying for assistance.


Pleasant Grove, AL, May 21, 2011 -- A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opens in the community of Pleasant Grove after tornadoes struck the area. FEMA is present at the DRC for in person assistance with registration and has many programs and support available to the individuals and business owners who were in the impacted areas.


Steele, AL, May 21, 2011 -- FEMA Community Relations Specialists Dianne McKinnis and Patty Wiedmer encourage FEMA registration to attendees of a Bluegrass festival at Horsepens 40. This was a great venue to meet a lot of people in a very rural area.

So if you’re a disaster survivor, or know someone who sustained damages as a result of the April 27 tornadoes, please share the following ways to apply for assistance:

• Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Assistance is available in many languages. TTY 800-462-7585 is available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing,
• Visit a disaster recovery center,
• Use a smartphone or tablet go to m.fema.gov, or
• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

And I wanted to share more photos of the emergency management team:



Pratt City, AL, May 24, 2011 -- Randy Luster of the Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages a survivor of the April 27th tornado to register with FEMA and the SBA to help with his recovery. Many people do not realize the SBA offers loan assistance to individuals as well as businesses after disasters.



Cordova, AL, May 24, 2011 -- US Army Corps of Engineers Debris Specialist John Nichols watches as a Walker county debris contractor crew gathers debris from the deadly April tornado. FEMA Public Assistance funds may pay a portion of the debris cleanup costs for local government and the Corps is missioned to oversee the contractors.



Sipsey, AL, May 24, 2011 -- Members of the Florida Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Association are helping a homeowner cut and pull debris to the street for county pickup. Faith-based volunteers are important partners with FEMA in helping survivors recover from the deadly April tornado.



Jasper, AL, May 24, 2011 -- Salvation Army workers Terry NeSmith, Deb Wilcutt, and Myrtle Whitcomb distribute food and household goods to storm survivors at the Salvation Army disaster relief distribution center which opened today. Recipients can receive a voucher for $300 which can then be redeemed at the center for emergency supplies. FEMA and the Salvation Army are partners in helping survivors recover from the deadly April tornado.



Phil Campbell, AL, May 14, 2011 -- FEMA Community Relations Specialists Laura Philpot and Tom Violette speak with Mike Yoder of the Christian Aide Ministries Disaster Service Rapid Response Team of Tennessee. Faith based organizations like this provide critical immediate services to storm survivors and are FEMA partners in recovery efforts for those affected by the April tornado.



Tuscaloosa, AL, May 12, 2011 -- Red Cross workers are present at today's Hispanic community meeting. Red Cross and FEMA are partners in responding to disasters such as the April storms and tornado here.

Posted by: Public Affairs

The Administrator just returned from Joplin, Mo. and recorded this video to talk about the best ways to help the people of Joplin.




Resources:

• How to help the people of Missouri (keep in mind that donating cash is the best way to help survivors - just be sure you're donating with a trusted organization)
• Additional information to how to help all disaster survivors

Posted by: Mike Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer

One month ago, much of the town of Phil Campbell in Franklin County was destroyed and many residents tragically lost their lives from a series of tornadoes that swept through Alabama, leaving many residents in the community homeless. As each day passes, we continue to admire the strength of these communities as they work together to help their neighbors recover.

Since the tornadoes struck, we’ve been working closely with our federal, state and local partners to meet the needs of disaster survivors. One way FEMA helps survivors after a disaster is by working with our state and local partners to help them find temporary housing for those who have lost their homes, like many in Phil Campbell.

This temporary housing assistance comes in many forms depending on the needs in the community:

• We maintain a list of available properties at the FEMA Housing Portal to help individuals and families, who have been displaced by a disaster, find a place to live.
• Money is available to rent a different place to live or a government-provided temporary housing unit may be available when there are no rental properties.
• In rural areas where no rental properties are available, such as Phil Campbell, we deploy temporary housing units to disaster survivors. These are available to survivors for up to 18 months as they transition to more permanent housing.

Just one example in Phil Campbell is Savannah Swinney and her daughter. They recently moved into their fully furnished unit. In addition to furniture, each unit came with “living kits” donated by organizations such as the American Red Cross, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mr. Coffee , and the People of Saudi Arabia (see a photo below).

Shown below are a few photos that explain some of our Individual Assistance Housing procedures. For more information, see this page on disaster assistance.



Once a unit is installed, state law requires an Alabama Manufactured Home Commission inspector certify it is suitable for living. A final inspection is done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure all health and safety requirements are met.


The first resident of this FEMA temporary housing unit in Phil Campbell signed a lease on May 14. Present are from left; Howard Hutcheson, Franklin County Commissioner; the new tenant and daughter; Johnny Morrow, Alabama Legislator, District 18; FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist Jim Woodard; and Mayor Jerry Mays.


Interior view of FEMA temporary housing unit. Eligible residents sign agreements for up to 18 months as they find more permanent housing.


Items from a “living kit” before they are unpacked. The kits contain basic items donated from Mr. Coffee, American Red Cross, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and bedding from the People of Saudi Arabia to help new residents settle in.


As part of orientation for the new tenant of this temporary housing unit, FEMA Individual Assistance Housing Specialist Don Norman points out appliance information.


As part of orientation for the new tenant of this temporary housing unit, FEMA Individual Assistance Housing Specialist Don Norman points out NOAA weather radio information, provided with each unit.

Posted by: Public Affairs

This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, so we’re continuing to share ways you can get prepared before hurricane season, beginning June 1. Today, we’re sharing tips you and your family can use to create an emergency plan, so you can stay in touch, stay informed, and reduce the stress of a hurricane or tropical storm.

There are several essential steps that should be a part of your hurricane safety plan, or any family emergency plan:

• Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
• Have a battery-powered radio, like a NOAA Weather Radio in the event that you lose power.
• Have an evacuation plan. If you are told to evacuate due to a hurricane, have a map to ensure you take the safest and quickest route/exit towards safety.
• Have a go-kit! A go-kit is an emergency supply kit that includes items like non-perishable food, water, a hand held battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. Also have an extra pair of clothes available. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate.

Check out this video of FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate’s tips on getting a plan and visit Ready.gov/hurricanes for information on getting ready for severe tropical weather.
While we can’t predict where the next hurricane or tropical storm may hit, we can all take steps now to make sure we’re prepared.

Other blog posts for National Hurricane Awareness Week
- Day 1: What we’re doing to prepare
- Day 2: Storm surge
- Day 3: Wind danger
- Day 4: Inland flooding
- Day 5: The team effort

Posted by: Public Affairs


Biloxi, MS, April 29, 2010 -- Administrator Fugate sits in the co-pilot seat in a Hurricane Hunter aircraft alongside Major Jeff Ragusa during his visit with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Hurricane Hunters) at Keesler Air Force Base. The Hurricane Hunters provide valuable weather data used by FEMA and other partners to evaluate active weather situations.

This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and we’ve been teaming up with our partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to emphasize getting prepared for hurricane season, which starts June 1.

We’ve looked back at various hazards that hurricanes cause, such as storm surge, inland flooding and wind damage. Today, we wanted talk about the full team effort that’s involved in keeping the public informed as severe tropical weather develops or threatens the U.S.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC), in Miami Florida, is the official source for the latest updates on severe tropical weather, and works closely with several office across NOAA. Here’s a quick view of the center’s role, according to Daniel Brown, National Hurricane Center senior hurricane specialist:

The NHC mission is to save lives, mitigate property loss, and improve economic efficiency by issuing the best watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and by increasing understanding of these hazards. The NHC vision is to be America's calm, clear, and trusted voice in the eye of the storm and, with its partners, enable communities to be safe from tropical weather threats.

By using advanced technology such as fully equipped hurricane hunter aircraft, satellites, computer models, and Doppler radar, the NHC works to have most accurate forecast available.

At FEMA, we coordinate closely with NOAA and the NHC to make sure we have the most up to date information so we can be prepared to support American citizens and the rest of the emergency management team. Should a hurricane or tropical storm approach the U.S. or one of its territories, we will take the necessary steps to ensure we’re ready.

FEMA and the NHC are just two members of the team that help citizens, state and local governments, businesses, and faith-based and community groups get prepared for severe tropical weather. As hurricane season progresses, be sure to check back on this blog for more stories about this team in action.

For more information on NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, check out this video, or visit their website. You can stay up to date with the latest forecast from the NHC at http://www.hurricanes.gov/ or on your phone at http://hurricanes.gov/mobile.

Posted by: Public Affairs


Joplin, MO, May 26, 2011 -- Administrator Craig Fugate surveys a damaged fire station with a Joplin firefighter.

Since the deadly tornadoes first struck parts of the country last week, the federal government has been in constant contact with all of the impacted states as they responded to and began recovery efforts from these devastating storms.

The administration, through FEMA, is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear to support Missouri and the other states devastated by the deadly tornadoes and storms this weekend.

Through our regional offices in Kansas City, MO and Chicago, IL, has been in close contact and coordination with the states since the storms first struck, and has already deployed staff and resources to the impacted areas in Missouri to help with response needs.

Here is a recap of the support efforts of the federal family today:

Thursday, May 26

• At the President's direction, White House National Security Staff Senior Director for Response Policy Dabney Kern, Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute, Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Bill Corr, Small Business Administration Associate Administrator James Rivera and Department of Commerce DOC/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Assistant Secretary of Commerce Dr. Kathy Sullivan join Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, in Joplin to tour the damage and meet with state and local officials.
• The NFL Players Association sends current and former St. Louis Rams football players to Joplin to participate in community outreach activities with FEMA and the American Red Cross. 
• In coordination with LodgeNet hotel video network, FEMA disaster assistance videos begin to air on hotel room welcome channels across Missouri.
• As of 7 a.m., more than 1,900 Missourians affected by the Sunday tornadoes in the Joplin area, in Jasper and Newton counties, have applied for assistance, and more than $1.3 million in assistance has been approved. Tornado survivors in those counties can apply for federal disaster aid, either by phone, online, or on their mobile phones. To register, survivors can call (800) 621-3362 / TTY (800) 462-7585, apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or apply on their smartphones at m.fema.gov. 
• Community relations teams remain on the ground meeting with disaster survivors in the Joplin area, canvassing neighborhoods, visiting shelters and supporting the operation of disaster recovery centers.
• FEMA personnel join state and local officials to begin joint preliminary damage assessments in Hennepin County, Minnesota. These damage assessments are the first step in helping a governor determine whether the scope of the damages are beyond what the state is capable of handling and if additional federal assistance is needed.
• FEMA personnel join state and local officials to begin joint preliminary damage assessments in Johnson County, Arkansas. 

See yesterday's recap of federal support efforts on the blog.

Posted by: Rich Serino, Deputy Administrator

One of the best parts of my job at FEMA is getting to talk with people all over the country about how they can – and do – prepare themselves, their families, and their communities for disaster. There are so many grass-roots, community-driven preparedness and resilience efforts underway in our country – it’s a topic I never get tired of listening to or sharing ideas about. What I have been lucky that I have not had to do very often, though, is follow my own advice about taking specific steps to stay safe during the moments when disaster strikes.

Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri changed that.

I had just spent two days in Joplin, Missouri supporting response and recovery in the wake of one of the nation’s deadliest tornadoes. I’d seen first-hand the horrendous devastation and talked with countless everyday heroes. I found myself wanting to stay longer, but I also looked forward to fulfilling a previous commitment I’d made to speak in Kansas City at a national conference of the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) – some of the most important members of the nation’s emergency management team.

I stopped at our FEMA Region VII office to talk with staff and to catch up on some work before joining the conference. Turns out, Mother Nature had different ideas.

I’d only been there a couple of hours when the weather suddenly became very unstable. The next thing I knew, FEMA staff alerted me that there were possible tornadoes nearby and I needed to move with them to a safe area within the building. Outdoor warning sirens began to sound. I thought to myself,

Tornadoes?? What???? I’m from Boston. I know hurricanes. I know blizzards. But we don’t have tornadoes there too often. This is going to be interesting.

Despite the potential perils, I felt surprisingly calm. At FEMA, we’re in the business of disasters. Many of our staff are disaster survivors themselves. We preach preparedness. But are we really ready?

I quickly learned that in this case, we were. As an agency, we’re always telling others to prepare, plan, and stay informed. That includes understanding weather terminology, monitoring media in times of potentially bad weather, using a NOAA weather radio, having a safe place to take shelter and practicing an emergency plan.

When the real pressure was on us, it was heartening to see members of the FEMA team practice what we preach. The region’s emergency watch officers detected the dangerous weather. As I moved with more than 100 of our employees to the safe area on a lower floor, I heard the sounds of weather radios. The team was orderly and calm. I was proud and humbled.

We sheltered together for more than an hour as several reported funnels in the area dipped down and back up. One possible tornado was reported a mere six blocks away. We used the time to informally catch up as a group on our agency’s activities and goals, and to check on our families. One staffer even took advantage of the ‘captive audience’ and delivered a Continuity of Operations refresher course as we waited for the ‘all clear.’ Hmm … very creative.

We were fortunate enough to get through the situation without harm. Sadly, some Missouri communities were not. If FEMA is needed, we’ll be there to help.

As for me, I will forever remember this as a day that our passion for preparedness counted – again.

Posted by: Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator and Ali S. Khan, Assistant Surgeon General and Director, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, CDC

With June 1 only days away, FEMA, CDC and the rest of the team are busy preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. And now that you’ve taken the necessary precautions to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, you can start preparing for hurricane season, too. In recognition of Hurricane Preparedness Week, we want to remind you of some simple steps you can take.  The same steps that we described in our zombie post (get a kit, make a plan, be informed) are key to getting prepared for a hurricane as well.

Get a Kit and Stock Up


Some useful items for your family emergency kit.

After a hurricane strikes, you may not have the convenience of your local supermarket or other supply stores that you visit on a regular basis.  Therefore, it’s critical that you have the supplies you need to survive for at least 72 hours, like non-perishable food, water, prescription medications, batteries, baby supplies, phone chargers and inverters, and a first-aid kit. While you are gathering supplies, make sure that you also place an emergency kit in your car. Learn more about supplies you’ll need on CDC.gov or Ready.gov.

Make a Plan With Your Family
It’s important to identify ahead of time where you and your family will go if you have to evacuate. If local officials order a mandatory evacuation in your area, you should follow this request and make plans for you and your family to leave. Sit down with your family now and decide whether you will evacuate to an out-of-town friend or relatives’ house, or if you will stay at a hotel in a safe place.


Be sure to know your evacuation route ahead of time.

And when making your evacuation plan, don’t forget about your precious pets!  You should make alternate housing arrangements for your pets in advance, since pet-friendly shelters may not be available during the emergency period. Identifying pet boarding facilities that are located along your evacuation route and outside of the danger zone are important steps to ensuring your pets will have a safe place to go.  When evacuation orders are issued, you should call the boarder to ensure that they have availability. Here’s a useful checklist for your pets on Ready.gov, FEMA’s website for emergency preparedness.

Now that you have a plan for your family (including four-legged members), consider the following precautions before you evacuate:

• Fill your car's gas tank. If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.
• Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, water, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc. 
• Secure any items outside which may damage property in a storm, such as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc. 
• Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass. 
• Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.
• Be sure to take your phone charger with you.

Tune In And Stay Informed

While the path of a hurricane is forecasted before it hits land, the situation can often change from one minute to the next.  It’s important to be informed with a NOAA weather radio and educate yourself on hurricane-related terms that will be used throughout the season, such as:

• Tropical storm watch - tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.
• Tropical storm warning - tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.
• Hurricane watch - hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified coastal area.  This is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
• Hurricane warning - hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area.  This is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

The National Hurricane Center provides a glossary on its Web site, so take some time and familiarize yourself with their Glossary of National Hurricane Center Terms.

While Hurricane Preparedness is a top priority and responsibility for FEMA and CDC, as well as other emergency management and public health agencies, it’s also each individual’s responsibility to ensure that they take the necessary steps to be prepared.  You can learn more about Hurricane Preparedness at emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/ and www.Ready.gov/hurricanes.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Editor's Note: This blog post was updated on May 26 at 3:35 p.m. EDT.


Joplin, MO, May 25, 2011 -- Administrator Craig Fugate (second from the left) and Rev. David Myers (left), director of the DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, meet with Dr. Kevin Ezell (second from right), president, Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board, and an unidentified member of the Southern Baptist response team, in Joplin, Mo. The group is meeting inside a Mobile Emergency Response Support vehicle, equipped with phone and video communications systems.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and other states impacted by severe storms and tornadoes. As of this morning, we continue to support the states’ response and recovery efforts in Missouri, Minnesota and the other areas affected by severe weather.

At the direction of President Obama, senior administration officials from across the federal family traveled to Joplin to meet with state and local officials, assess the damage from the May 15 devastating tornadoes, to ensure the state is receiving all the support needed for response and recovery operations. Officials from the White House, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, Small Business Administration, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration joined Administrator Craig Fugate who has been on the ground in Joplin since Monday.

Current and former players with the St. Louis Rams are arriving in Joplin to visit a Red Cross shelter and tour the damage. The players are traveling with DeMaurice Smith, executive director, National Football League Players Association, which is one of many private sector partners that helps work with disaster survivors and lifts the spirits in communities reeling from tragedy. We thank them for their visit to Joplin, and for all the work they do to help people and communities rebuild.

Today’s forecast from the National Weather Service is calling for the potential of severe weather across much of the U.S., covering an area from Louisiana up to New Hampshire. Severe storms are possible parts of the Great Plains as well, stretching from Montana to Nebraska.

If your area has the potential for severe weather, be sure to stay updated with your local forecast and continue to listen to the direction of local officials. You can also take steps now to get prepared for severe weather at www.Ready.gov.

We will continue to provide our latest updates on this blog. See this blog post for the latest on the role of the federal government.

Other links
- Blog post on how to help disaster survivors in Joplin
- Information on helping survivors after a disaster

Posted by: Public Affairs

Editor's Note, updated on May 26, 2011: an update to this blog post has been posted.

Through our regional offices, we're closely monitoring the severe weather and tornado watches and warnings as they continue. We are ready to support our state partners and the entire emergency management team as they prepare for and respond to the severe weather.

Here are some tips to remain safe:

• A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area.
• A tornado warning is when a tornado is actually occurring, take shelter immediately.
• Listen to local and state officials for emergency information and instructions, and follow local news reports for the latest updates in your area.

For more tornado safety tips, visit Ready.gov/tornadoes or http://m.fema.gov on your smartphone. You can also visit mobile.weather.gov on your smartphone for local weather forecasts.

We will continue to update the blog as necessary, so check back for our latest updates on severe weather and tornadoes.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Since the deadly tornadoes first struck parts of the country last week, the federal government has been in constant contact with all of the impacted states as they responded to and began recovery efforts from these devastating storms.

The administration, through FEMA, is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear to support Missouri and the other states devastated by the deadly tornadoes and storms this weekend.

Through our regional offices in Kansas City, MO and Chicago, IL, has been in close contact and coordination with the states since the storms first struck, and has already deployed staff and resources to the impacted areas in Missouri to help with response needs.

Here is a recap of the support efforts of the federal family today:

Wednesday, May 25

• Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano calls Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to express her condolences on behalf of the federal family and to offer support for the communities affected by last night's deadly tornadoes.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue to work closely with state and local officials in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and other states impacted by the deadly tornadoes and severe storms that struck the Midwest over the weekend and last night.
• In Oklahoma, FEMA staff on the ground, including a Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), tour damages with Oklahoma Emergency Management (OEM) Director and Oklahoma Governor Fallin. The FCO has been embedded with state officials at the Oklahoma Emergency Operations Center since last night.
• FEMA deploys a regional Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to Oklahoma to coordinate with state and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls impacting disaster response and recovery.
• In Arkansas, FEMA has staff on the ground, including a Federal Coordinating Officer, working closely with the Governor and the Arkansas Emergency Management team.
• The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma is forecasting a high risk of severe thunderstorms for portions of the Mid-Mississippi Valley into the Lower Ohio Valley today and tonight, including areas around St. Louis, Mo., Little Rock, Ark. and Memphis, Tenn. These storms have the potential to produce large hail, strong winds, and torrential rainfall.
• FEMA, through its regional offices in Kansas City, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, Denton, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia, continue to stay in constant contact with our state and local counterparts as we monitor additional severe weather.
• FEMA Administrator Fugate continues to tour affected areas in Missouri and meet with disaster survivors, state and local officials, first responders and representatives of voluntary organizations to ensure the state has what they need as response efforts continue.
• One Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open in Joplin, Missouri. It is staffed by state, voluntary agency and federal personnel to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by recent storms and tornadoes. This center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, until further notice. At the DRC, representatives from FEMA, state and other agencies meet one on one with disaster survivors, explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) member organizations such as American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Convoy of Hope, and many others continue to be heavily involved in the disaster response by providing assistance to Missouri disaster survivors. The Red Cross Safe and Well secure website continues to provide a way for people to find information on people affected by the storms.
• Supplies such as meals, water, cots and blankets are either on site or en route to three strategically located incident support bases established in three locations across Missouri. The support bases will allow FEMA to move supplies closer to the affected area in case they are needed.
• A federal mortuary assistance team has arrived to the Joplin area, and will work under the guidance of local authorities, providing technical assistance and personnel. This effort was coordinated through Emergency Support Function 8, which was previously activated by FEMA, and authorizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate hospital medical needs and patient evacuations, in support of the state, if necessary.
• More than six FEMA Community Relations (CR) teams are on the ground meeting with disaster survivors in Joplin and additional Community Relations specialists are en route, explaining the assistance available and to help survivors register for assistance. So far, CR teams have worked one-on-one with more than 200 tornado survivors in Joplin. Over the past several days, they have been actively canvassing neighborhoods, visiting shelters and supporting the operation of disaster recovery centers.

See yesterday's recap of federal support efforts on the blog.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Editor’s Note: This was originally posted on the White House Blog on May 4, 2011, by Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.


Volunteers help gut homes, aiding in recovery efforts from recent storms.

Over the past few weeks, a series of devastating tornadoes swept across the country. From Mississippi to Virginia, communities are suffering great losses. The Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) Disaster Services Unit rapidly mobilized thousands of volunteers to assist local recovery efforts.

Working closely with the State Service Commissions and FEMA, CNCS has built partnerships across public and private sectors to provide critical services to communities in need. In Kentucky, AmeriCorps members support local Red Cross shelters. In St. Louis, AmeriCorps Safety Service Corps deployed members to remove trees from roofs and tarp houses to keep out the rain. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) volunteers are providing services such as checking on the welfare of affected residents, clearing debris, delivering clean water, assisting residents with relocation, distributing donations, organizing sandbag efforts to prevent flooding, transporting elderly residents to medical facilities, and providing case management support.

For Kelly DeGraff, the Senior Advisor for Disaster Services at CNCS, the agency's response to the tornadoes in Mississippi was particularly poignant. In less than 24 hours after the tornado struck Jackson, MS, CNCS volunteers were on the ground serving affected residents. A team of six NCCC members from the Southern Region campus in Vicksburg, MS helped to feed residents and distribute supplies. For nearly a week, team Leader Moses Moua, 23, of Orlando, FL and Corps Member Michael Brown, 20, of Indianapolis, IN provided day and night staffing at the American Red Cross shelter in Clinton, MS.

While working in the shelter, Moua and Brown spent time with Frelicia May and her family of sixteen. May, her husband, sister, children and grandchildren were painfully familiar with being in a shelter following a storm. After losing everything during Hurricane Katrina, they had drifted to several places in Louisiana and Texas before settling near her family in Jackson, MS. On April 15, when the tornado struck May’s new home, she gathered the few things she could salvage and headed to her sister’s two-bedroom apartment. They quickly realized that the cramped apartment would not provide the large family sufficient space or resources to get back on their feet.

The May family took refuge in the American Red Cross shelter where Moua and Brown welcomed them. After a few days at the shelter, May spoke affectionately of the NCCC members – “We love them. They laugh and talk to us and treat us like family. Michael is really good with the kids.” In addition to providing the families with basic needs, Brown has been playing tic-tac-toe, basketball, coloring, and reading to the 13 children.

“I can do a lot of things that I couldn’t do before, like build things. I knew exactly what to do when I got to this shelter because we had training on it,” said Brown. He said that being an NCCC volunteer has taught him a lot of skills and given him training that he didn’t know he would utilize. It has also taught him the power of giving back.

Throughout the year, CNCS engages more than 1.5 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service. Senior Corps, AmeriCorps State and National, and the AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers have been particularly active in responding to the recent disasters. These programs play an essential role assisting communities responding to a disaster. CNCS volunteer programs provide a great deal of value both to the communities in which they serve and the volunteers themselves.

For more information, contact the CNCS Disaster Services Unit at DSU@cns.gov.

Posted by: Public Affairs


Brownsville, Texas, July 24, 2008 -- A resident pushes his stalled car through a flooded street. Hurricane Dolly made landfall on South Padre island with 120 mph winds.

This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, so we’ve been sharing ways you can get prepared before hurricane season begins on June 1.  Today, we wanted to look at the threat that severe tropical weather poses to inland areas, specifically, flooding.

While many immediately think of strong winds when they think of hurricanes, heavy rains and inland flooding are equally destructive and dangerous.  Hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to unload heavy and sustained rainfall which can overwhelm drainage systems and cause flooding.

In addition to our normal steps of getting a kit, making a plan and being informed, you can also get prepared for flooding by purchasing flood insurance.  Flooding can cause significant financial damage to homes and businesses, and flood insurance can help protect yourself from this risk.   Visit FloodSmart.gov for more information on flood insurance. (Flood insurance policies typically take 30 days before they take effect, so don’t wait until it’s too late.)

For more tips on getting prepared for flooding, visit Ready.gov/floods, or check out this video from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.   While we can’t predict where hurricanes may strike this season, we can all take steps now to get prepared.