FEMA Blog

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs

As the risk for severe weather conditions continue throughout parts of the Midwest and South, we wanted to take a second to remind everyone in areas expected to see severe weather to take necessary precautions now. We encourage all individuals in areas where severe weather is expected to listen to NOAA Weather Radio, especially as we head into the evening and overnight, and local news for severe weather updates and warnings and to always follow the direction provided by their local officials.

Here are a few severe weather terms you should familiarize yourself with now:

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch - Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.

• Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm. 

• Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information. 

• Tornado Warning - A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately. 

As weather conditions often change quickly, it’s important to stay updated on your local forecast conditions at weather.gov (or mobile.weather.gov on your mobile device).

If severe weather is expected in your area, keep in mind these safety tips:

• Continue to monitor your battery-powered radio or television for emergency information. 
• Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company. 
• Injury may result from the direct impact of a tornado or it may occur afterward when people walk among debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris. 
• After a tornado, be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in your home. Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.

Visit www.ready.gov/severe-weather  for more tips on what to do if severe weather is expected in your area. You can also visit http://m.fema.gov for safety tips on your mobile device.

Posted by:Flat Stanley and Flat Stella


Queens, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stanley visit the FEMA Joint Field Office (JFO) in Queens, NY to attend meetings with FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne, FEMA partners and associates.

Stella and I went to the FEMA Field Office in New York City.
We met the man in charge, a former firefighter who was quite busy.
He and his staff said, “be prepared and stay smart.”
They all reminded us “everyone must do their part.”
When disasters hit, the whole community stays aware.
In other words, there are a lot of people who care.


Queens, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stanley visit the FEMA Joint Field Office (JFO) in Queens, NY to attend meetings with FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne, FEMA partners and associates.

The next stop was the Disaster Recovery Center.
Where people affected by the storm can enter.
They get information on how to rebuild homes.
And can talk face-to-face about money and loans.
People can talk about something called Mitigation.
Which means building a safer and stronger nation.


New York, N.Y., Dec. 15, 2012 -- Flat Stanley and Flat Stella visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) specialist who is discussing mitigation best practices with Hurricane Sandy survivors.

We also went to a school in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Where teachers make preparedness part of their routines.
We learned that the next time a storm is coming.
We should not wait, we must get going.
We learned not to panic, but it’s important to prepare
With a kit that holds supplies packed with care.


Other things we have to face:
Disasters can happen any time, any place.
And floods just don’t happen at the ocean;
Water can rise with much rain and quick motion.
So make sure you know a safe place to go,
A place high and dry, where the water won’t flow.
Practice beforehand till you know the route.
Like you do with fire drills so it all works out.


Bronx, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2013 -- Students in the Bronx, New York, take part in learning about natural disasters and preparedness during a FEMA For Kids presentation at MARC Academy and Family Center. FEMA plays a vital role supporting State, Tribal and local governments as they respond to the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Don’t drive through standing water, please tell mom and dad
Find another way around and you will be glad
Always be safe, always be sure
Turn around, don’t drown, find the next detour.

We were glad to learn these things in order to be ready
For the next disaster that may come our way
We’ll have the best chance of being okay.

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs


At the end of each week, we post a "What We’re Watching" blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.

Winter temperatures
Cold temperatures, snow, and ice have impacted millions across the U.S., especially in the last few weeks.  I have been sharing winter safety tips on a weekly basis in each What We’re Watching post, but it never hurts to have a few more.  If any of these look familiar, it’s because these tips were shared on many of FEMA’s social media accounts this week, too!

• During winter months, keep your car's gas tank at least half full for emergencies. This should keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Winter storms & blizzards can knock out power. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked up with extra blankets, gloves, and hats – and that you also have a plan to stay warm if power cannot be quickly restored.
• Some great emergency kit items for your car during the winter months: a shovel, flashlights, water, matches, blankets, booster cables & emergency flares.
• If winter weather is expected in your area, listen to a NOAA weather radio & follow local news for the latest forecast and conditions.

For more winter safety tips, visit Ready.gov on your computer or m.fema.gov on your mobile device.

Fire safety for the winter months
We all know winter means colder days and nights, but did you know the number of home fires tends to increase during the winter months, too?  This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires, as well as people using alternative heating sources for their home.

So take a few minutes this weekend to check your home’s smoke alarms and review your family’s fire escape plan – those are two small things that can make all the difference if a fire occurs.  For more winter fire safety tips, visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website, or check out this video:



Upcoming events
We are also watching a few upcoming events, so mark these on your calendar!

• Great Central U.S. ShakeOut - On February 7 at 10:15 a.m. Central time, over 2 million people will stop what they’re doing to participate in an earthquake drill and "Drop. Cover. Hold on." Signup today to participate and then check out Ready.gov/earthquakes to learn how you can prepare your home, workplace or school for an earthquake.

• Think Tank - The next FEMA Think Tank Conference Call is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:00 PM EST. The call is open to anyone, and the theme for the discussion is innovative solutions in emergency management.  Here’s a summary of the upcoming call, and you can learn more at fema.gov/thinktank:
  
  Innovation is often thought of as something for the tech or design world, not for government or bureaucracy. The model of connecting government with outside networks has been around for a long time, but FEMA is has successfully taken it to the next level.  Soon after Sandy made landfall, FEMA deployed an Innovation Team--a multi-sector, cross functional group with the mission of working with the whole community: government, non-profit and international organizations, volunteer groups, businesses, and concerned citizens. More information on the Innovation Team is available on the recent blog post.

Photo of the Week
Debris from Hurricane Sandy is processed at the Jacob Riis Park where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works to clean and sort it into piles for recycling. Trash separated from the debris is put into trucks to be hauled to landfills.



For more photos, visit the FEMA Photo Library.

A Fond Farewell
Saying good-bye is always hard, and last Friday was a hard day as FEMA said good-bye to William L. Carwile, III, Administrator for Disaster Operations. After over 40 years of cumulative federal service, Bill retired from the agency.  The entire FEMA family wishes Bill all the best and a long and healthy retirement.

Have a safe weekend!

Posted by: John McGowan, Response Division Director, FEMA Region 3

As you might guess, it takes a high level of coordination and skill to pull off an event where hundreds of thousands of people converge on a small area to watch many of the nation’s political leaders.  Yesterday during President Obama’s public Inauguration ceremony, I jotted down some thoughts about FEMA’s role supporting our emergency management partners:

Posted by: Meredith Parrish, Assistant External Affairs Officer, Community Relations


Bronx, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2013 -- Students in the Bronx, New York, take part in learning about natural disasters and preparedness during a FEMA For Kids presentation at MARC Academy and Family Center. FEMA plays a vital role supporting State, Tribal and local governments as they respond to the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

“Does a flashlight and extra batteries belong in an emergency kit?”

“Yes!” the room full of students, between the ages of 6 and 11, shout!


Suffern, N.Y., Jan. 10, 2013 -- FEMA For Kids promotes emergency preparedness at Lime Kiln Elementary in Suffern, NY by teaching students how to create an emergency supply kit. In addition, emergency safety related books, pamphlets websites are provided to students and staff during the safety preparedness question and answer session.

“How about a pink wig?”

“No!” they shout.

On a recent morning, Nina Coleman took various items out of a disaster supply kit, held them up and asked students at Public School 215 in Far Rockaway, NY what supplies do and don’t belong. Weather Radio elicited a resounding “Yes!”

“First Aid Kit?”

“You bet.”

“A high-heeled boot?”

Giggles. “I don’t think so.” 

These kids are residents of a neighborhood battered by Hurricane Sandy and they listen carefully to the FEMA for Kids (Ready Kids) presentation, an interactive program designed to teach children about emergency preparedness through hands-on activities, lively question and answer sessions and storytelling.

Coleman is a natural with kids. She ought to be. She’s the mother of three daughters, ages 2, 3 and 6.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Coleman, Assistant Manager of FEMA for Kids Community Relations Strike Team, has been conducting outreach to schools, after-school programs and youth organizations throughout New York City to inform students and teachers about disaster preparedness. With a background as an instructor of mortgage loan software, she is comfortable in front of a classroom.  She has also come equipped with a banner she has hung in front of the room showcasing the children’s book characters Flat Stanley and Stella, FEMA’s new ambassadors for FEMA for Kids.


Queens, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stanley visit the FEMA Joint Field Office (JFO) in Queens, NY to attend meetings with FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne, FEMA partners and associates.

At Far Rockaway’s P.S. 215, approximately 70 percent of the students (and a majority of the teachers) had been affected by the hurricane. At times, children may be left out when it comes to the recovery process of a disaster and often they have several questions regarding storms. Informing children how to prepare for a disaster helps to alleviate their fears and increases the chance that they will stay safe during a disaster.

Their questions can range from the serious, “What do you do if your car goes into floodwater?” to the head-scratchers: “What happens to the fish when there’s a hurricane?”


Bronx, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2013 -- Students in the Bronx, New York, take part in learning about natural disasters and preparedness during a FEMA For Kids presentation at MARC Academy and Family Center. FEMA plays a vital role supporting State, Tribal and local governments as they respond to the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

While our FEMA for Kids instructors cannot determine the fate of the fish, the answer to the first questions is: you never try to drive through floodwater, especially because the depth may be deceiving. The mantra is: “turn around, don’t drown.”

Our instructors use every opportunity to reinforce how important it is to be prepared.
She tells the children to learn about the different types of disasters, to make a communication plan (knowing your family’s contact information) and to know their evacuation route.

The students are reminded that they should practice their evacuation route just like fire drills at school. And when a storm is predicted, Coleman tells the children to be sure to listen to the news or weather radio to find out if an evacuation is being ordered. The children are encouraged to visit www.ready.gov/kids where they can download the Flats and take them on their journey to learning and teaching the family about disaster preparedness.

Much of this advice is something the children will speak to their parents about, which is another plus of the program. “It helps us spread the preparedness message,” says Coleman.

Coleman does whatever it takes to make sure this message gets across, even if it means putting on a silly fluorescent pink wig and doing a little dance. It really gets their attention, but that’s the idea.
Judging by the positive response from the children – most of them said they were going to go home and put together a disaster supplies kit (minus the pink wig and high heel boot) -- readiness has come to Rockaway.

For more information and games for kids on disaster preparedness, visit www.Ready.gov/kids.

Posted by: Rich Serino, Deputy Administrator

When people think of innovation, they usually think that it is something for the tech or design world—they don’t associate it with government or bureaucracy.  But, FEMA sees the role of innovation differently.  We recognize the value of innovation—that through innovation we can develop new and creative solutions—and deliver these solutions to those that need them the most- survivors.    We have been working on a number of fronts to incorporate innovation into our program and process.  And during our ongoing response and recovery efforts in Hurricane Sandy, we have been taking our approach to innovation one step further.

Soon after Sandy made landfall, FEMA deployed an Innovation Team-- a multi-sector, cross functional group made up of people in government, non-profit and international organizations, volunteer groups, businesses, and concerned citizens: the whole community.  At the most basic level, this team is all about creatively solving problems by receiving individual input from a diverse spectrum of stakeholders. They are about obtaining a perspective that is broader than just one sector, yet are agile and nimble enough to be a catalyst for real, impactful change to real world challenges.   The team collides networks of people together and leverages the amazing resourcefulness of the many organizations that have an interest in serving individuals and communities impacted by disasters.

The Innovation Team is by no means FEMA’s first experience with innovation.  We innovate on a regular basis, throughout our programs by valuing a forward leaning survivor centric approach to problem solving.  However, it is the first time that an entire team was dedicated to developing solutions to real time problems.

In order to identify the real time challenges, the team co-located alongside FEMA employees in one of our disaster field offices in New York City.  In doing so, they were able to work within FEMA and outside FEMA to identify challenges and fill gaps where necessary.  There, they could tap into their networks, be a “fresh set of eyes”, and question underlying assumptions.  The team is able to accomplish innovation in a number of ways: First and foremost, through always keeping the disaster survivor in mind when working towards and delivering solutions.  Second, is by looking for ways to connect government with external groups. And third, is making time to talk regularly and brainstorming without restraint.

Providing internet connectivity in Red Hook
Hurricane Sandy affected hundreds of thousands of people in varying degrees- from leaving them with no electricity or running water, to damaging or even destroying their homes, to causing injuries.  And with all of this devastation, there are many forms of assistance potentially available to help.  It is our job to make sure that everyone affected by the storm knows about what assistance is available and how they can apply for that assistance.  One way that we provide that information and assistance to survivors is by setting up disaster recovery centers in impacted locations—places where disaster survivors can talk face-to-face with staff from the state and FEMA about what assistance options are available.  Soon after Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA needed to set up over 40 of these disaster recovery centers in New York alone.

As is often the case, these disaster recovery centers are set up in neighborhoods hit hard by a disaster – and in Red Hook, New York, this was no exception.  After the Innovation Team arrived at the center in Red Hook and spoke with the staff and disaster survivors, they realized there was a great need for internet connectivity.  There were “hard lines” set up and a very weak Wi-Fi network—but this not enough.  In this world of smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers—only having the options to sit at a hard lined computer is not going to fit the bill.

So the Innovation team sprang into action – they tapped into their network and linked up with IT volunteer organizations and highly skilled community volunteers.  Within two days, not only had the Wi-Fi network area doubled, but it had also become accessible in a popular neighborhood courtyard and several of the surrounding buildings, providing hundreds of residents the ability to use the internet-- access information, check in with family and friends, and apply for disaster assistance online.

But we didn’t just make people come to us in Red Hook. We sent the internet to them.  Teams from our Community Relations group were already going door-to-door in damaged neighborhoods, ensuring that word got out about the assistance that was available.  We gave these teams iPads with internet connectivity—internet connectivity that came from a new satellite link up that the Innovation Team established.  As a result, the internet was traveling door-to-door in neighborhoods throughout the city, allowing survivors to register for assistance from their own homes that were still without power, and allowing our teams to stay better informed of the changing needs on the ground.

This example of the Innovation Team’s work in Red Hook is just one story, one way we are trying to assist disaster survivors through the approach of connecting government with businesses and non-profit organizations.  Why are we doing this?  Because no one group has all the answers and FEMA is just one part of a large team.  Government agencies need to tap into the vast amounts of knowledge and expertise that thrive outside our walls.  And the same holds true for companies and volunteer-led groups. Government can be an invaluable partner; we have resources, networks, and experience that can contribute to solutions.  The innovation team is one way for us to continue to partner with the whole community.

What we’ve learned so far

• The most valuable innovations often produce both tangible and intangible benefits:

           

          

          

• Innovations that come with cost savings can be doubly sweet.

            

The model of connecting government with outside networks has been around for a long time, but FEMA is putting a new spin on it through the Innovation Team.  The work done before, during, and after Hurricane Sandy has inspired several new partnerships.  FEMA is now assessing the lessons from Hurricane Sandy and evaluating new potential projects.

These past success stories and ongoing projects will only continue to be successful if we take the lessons learned from the Innovation Team and Hurricane Sandy and continue to focus on delivering solutions to disaster survivors.  We need to keep collaborating—bringing groups together, challenging our commonly held perceptions, and relentlessly pursuing solutions that can offer a much needed ray of hope to those in need.

FEMA will continue this conversation during our next FEMA Think Tank Conference Call being held at the White House on February 6, 2013.  This call is open to the public – it is a forum to bring the whole community into this conversation about incorporating innovation into emergency management.  To learn more about the FEMA Think Tank and get information on the call, please visit www.fema.gov/thinktank.

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs

At the end of each week, we post a "What We’re Watching" blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.

Cold Weather Next Week
Although some areas across the U.S. are experiencing abnormally high temperatures for January, the National Weather Service is expecting much cooler temperatures throughout several parts of the U.S. over the next week.  Here are some winter weather safety tips to keep in mind if cold weather is expected in your area:

• Limit travel during a storm – only venture out on the roads if it’s absolutely necessary.
• Stay up to date with your latest forecast – visit weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your smartphone for the latest conditions in your area.
• Have an emergency kit in your vehicle – if a winter storm develops suddenly, have supplies on hand in case you’re stranded in your vehicle.
• Take precautions for power outages – winter storms often cause power outages, so be sure your family and home take steps to sustain yourselves for at least 72 hours.

As the weather continues to get colder and with cases of the flu on the rise, make sure you and your family are taking the proper precautions to stay healthy this winter. Visit the Center for Disease Control website for more information on the flu or download the American Red Cross app for tips on how to stay healthy.

New Mobile Site
Our mobile site has been renovated! Not only have we given the site a new look and feel, we’ve made it more user-friendly and easier to navigate on your smart phones. In addition to the new look and feel of the site, some other changes include:

• Both graphic and text version of the website – If your phone is not compatible with the graphic version, you will automatically get redirected to the text only version.
• Easier to navigate menu – The new accordion style menu allows for easier navigation to content and previous pages visited.
• Updated content – We’ve added information on making a family communication plan, building your emergency kit, information on how to donate and volunteer responsibly, and links to our state and local partners mobile sites.

So if you haven’t done so, bookmark our mobile site on your phone so no matter where you may be when a disaster strikes, you’ll be able to access important life-saving information that can be the difference in the event of an emergency.

Hurricane Sandy Update
As of today, over 525,000 storm survivors have applied for assistance and $1.19 billion in federal aid has been approved.  As we continue to support Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts across states affected by the storm, I wanted to highlight some great resources and information available to disaster survivors:

• Rebuilding Stronger Checklist
• Help for Renters Who Lost Personal Property
• Working Together with Community Groups

Here are a few photos of our ongoing recovery efforts. For more photos or videos on Hurricane Sandy, visit our Hurricane Sandy Collection.


Queens, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2013 -- Community Relations Specialist Jean Ones Austin distributes flyers to Haitian small businesses about recovery information following Hurricane Sandy. FEMA provides assistance information to everyone that was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.


Fort Monmouth, N.J., Jan. 8, 2013 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino tours a Temporary Housing Unit (THU) community at Fort Monmmouth with a U.S. Army Corps Housing Task Force leader. As part of an ongoing effort to ensure families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy get the support they need, FEMA licensed THU's from the Department of Defense for eligible disaster survivors as part of an Individual Assistance function.


Queens, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2013 -- External Affairs Report Specialist, Rebecca Eith and IT Specialist, Jerry Chan are two of the many FEMA local hires that are working in the Hurricane Sandy recovery process. In the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, FEMA is hiring local employees to help with the recovery of many communities impacted by the storm.

For the latest Sandy recovery information, visit your state disaster page.

• New York: http://www.fema.gov/SandyNY
• New Jersey: http://www.fema.gov/SandyNJ
• Connecticut: http://www.fema.gov/SandyCT
• Rhode Island: http://www.fema.gov/SandyRI

For a complete list of state disaster pages, visit www.fema.gov.

Have a great (and safe) weekend!

Posted by: Michael Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer, NY

Brian Robbins grandfather, Harry, started making paper bags with a folding machine in his garage in 1935. As a child, Robbins’ father would ride his bicycle to hand out flyers to promote business. In 1940, Harry had the good fortune to meet a wooden pail maker – someone who made wooden shipping crates – who introduced him to corrugated boxes.

Many years later, the family operation went onto to become Cornell Paper & Box Company, a $14 million-a-year business located on Brooklyn’s historic waterfront in Red Hook. Even on a cloudy day, one can see the Statue of Liberty in the distance, raising her torch in the mist.

The company no longer manufactures paper products, but buys and distributes corrugated boxes throughout the U.S. Brian has been running the business for the last 15 years with his father and for much of that time has watched nervously as the water, which in some areas is about 15 feet from his 150-year-old brick warehouse, eroded the shoreline. In early 2000, the pier outside the warehouse finally collapsed.

Brian said he knew it was a matter of time before the erosion would make the building vulnerable to a huge storm, like a Nor’easter. He was concerned that one of the walls would easily be knocked right out with the force of a surge.

When Hurricane Sandy inundated Red Hook with floodwaters in October, Robbin’s warehouse took a huge hit – but not as bad had he not initiated a major mitigation project. Four years earlier, trucking in 1,500 cubic yards of armored stone, Robbins spent half a million dollars to build riprap, an embankment of large stones to prevent erosion, and a retaining wall to protect his property. Even though the low-lying land was covered in about five feet of water after Sandy, flooding the warehouse, Robbins says things would have been a lot worse. He had no doubt the outer wall would have been knocked out had he not prevented the erosion from continuing.


Brooklyn, N.Y., Dec. 4, 2012 -- Brian Robbins, owner of Cornell Paper and Box Company, Inc., stands next to his business which abuts Upper New York Bay. Robbins took the initiative to mitigate his property by building a bulk head wall to protect his property from storm surge. Although Robbins building was flooded due to Hurricane Sandy, he said that without the mitigation steps, he would have lost his whole building.


Brooklyn, N.Y., Dec. 4, 2012 -- Brian Robbins, owner of Cornell Paper and Box Company, Inc., stands next to his business which abuts Upper New York Bay. Robbins took the initiative to mitigate his property by building a stone wall to protect his property from storm surge. Although Robbins building was flooded due to Hurricane Sandy, he said that without the mitigation steps, he would have lost his whole building.

Robbins started the project in early 2008 and finished by September of 2010. Robbins joked that he had to get approvals from every government agency in existence. In the middle of it, the financial markets crashed and he spoke with his father about whether it was the best time to go forward. But he decided it HAD to be done or he’d be in worse shape, if a major storm hit.

Even with the mitigation effort, one wall of the warehouse sustained a huge crack that will cost about $270,000 to repair. Cleanup will run another $400,000. In addition, the flooding inundated about $900,000 worth of soggy boxes. His flood insurance will cover $500,000 to repair the building and another $500,000 for damaged inventory. (Flood insurance coverage for business is different than coverage for individual homeowners, which tops out at $250,000 for structures and $100,000 for contents).


Brooklyn, N.Y., Dec. 4, 2012 -- Workers at local Red Hook business Cornell Paper and Box Company, continue cleanup of boxes inside the warehouse that was flooded during Hurricane Sandy. Business impacted by the storm may contact the Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and 18 SBA business recovery centers.


Brooklyn, N.Y., Dec. 4, 2012 -- Local Red Hook business, Cornell Paper and Box Company, continues cleanup of boxes at the warehouse that was flooded during Hurricane Sandy. Business impacted by the storm may contact the Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and 18 SBA business recovery centers.

To make up the difference, he will have to take out a half a million dollar low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (which also provides low-interest loans to homeowners to repair disaster damage). It will take a few months for Cornell to be able to house the paper inventory needed to bring business back to the way it was. In the meantime, Robbins is trying to make up the loss by renting out emptied areas of his warehouse for storage space, (one client is storing his motorcycles where stacks of cardboard usually sit).

Even so, Robbins estimates that if he had not taken the mitigation measures, it would have cost him another million dollars out of pocket. Now the plan is to bring in another 400 tons of armored stone to replace what Sandy took away.

Robbins says that after making the repairs he’ll be even better protected for another storm. And save another million dollars – or more.

After a presidentially declared disaster, FEMA provides funding to the state for mitigation grants. For more information on applying for one, here is a link to HMGP FAQs.

Escrito por: Michael Byrne, Coordinador Federal, Nueva York

El abuelo de Brian Robbins, Harry, comenzó su fabrica de bolsas de papel desde su garaje en el año 1935 con tan solo una maquina plegable. De niño, el papá de Robbins solía correr su bicicleta para repartir folletos y promover  el negocio. En el año 1940, Harry tuvo la buena fortuna de conocer a una persona que construye contenedores de madera, quien le introdujo a las cajas de cartón.

Años más tarde,  la operación familiar pasó a convertirse en lo que se conoce como la Cornell Paper & Box Company, una compañía con ganancias de $14 millones al año localizada en Red Hook, la histórica zona costera de Brooklyn. Ubicación desde donde la estatua de la libertad es visible, incluso cuando hay neblina.

La compañía ya no fabrica productos de papel, sino que se dedica a la compra y distribución de cajas de cartón a través de los Estados Unidos. Brian, quien ha estado a cargo de la compañía junto a su padre por los pasados 15 años, ha observado con nerviosismo como las aguas, que en algunas áreas suben tan cerca como a 15 pies de la histórica fabrica de ladrillos, han ido erosionando la costa. A principios del año 2000, el muelle en el exterior de la fabrica finalmente cedió y colapsó.

Brian comentó que sabía que solo era cuestión de tiempo antes de que la erosión hiciera al edificio vulnerable a los efectos de una tormenta, como la tormenta del noreste. Su preocupación era que las paredes fueran a derrumbarse con la fuerza del oleaje.

En octubre, cuando el huracán Sandy causó inundaciones en Red Hook, la fabrica de Robbin se vio sumamente afectada – pero los daños pudieron haber sido mucho peor de no haber sido por el proyecto de mitigación que este había implementado. Hace cuatro años, Robbins gastó medio millón de dólares en traer 1,500 yardas cúbicas de rocas para construir una escollera – un dique de rocas grandes para prevenir la erosión – y un muro de contención para proteger su propiedad. Con todo y que Sandy causó inundaciones de hasta cinco pies de agua en la fabrica, Robbins explica que la situación pudo haber sido mucho peor. No le cabe duda de que la pared exterior hubiese sido derrumbada de no haber sido por los pasos que este tomó para prevenir la erosión.


Brooklyn, N.Y., 4 de diciembre de 2012 – Brian Robbins, propietario de la Cornell Paper and Box Company, Inc., al lado de su fabrica – la cual colinda con la bahía Upper New York. Robbins tomó la iniciativa de mitigar daños a su propiedad construyendo una pared de roca abultada para proteger su propiedad del fuerte oleaje de la tormenta. A pesar de que la fabrica se vio inundada por el huracán Sandy, Robbins dijo que de no ser por los pasos de mitigación tomados, el edificio completo hubiese sido destrozado.


Brooklyn, N.Y., 4 de diciembre de 2012 – Brian Robbins, propietario de la Cornell Paper and Box Company, Inc., al lado de su fabrica – la cual colinda con la bahía Upper New York. Robbins tomó la iniciativa de mitigar daños a su propiedad construyendo una pared de roca abultada para proteger su propiedad del fuerte oleaje de la tormenta. A pesar de que la fabrica se vio inundada por el huracán Sandy, Robbins dijo que de no ser por los pasos de mitigación tomados, el edificio completo hubiese sido destrozado.

Robbins comenzó con el proyecto a principios del 2008 y lo completó para septiembre de 2010. Robbins bromea que tuvo que solicitar la aprobación de todas las agencias de gobierno en existencia. A mediados de la vida del proyecto se desató la crisis financiera y Robbins habló con su padre sobre si debían continuar. Al final decidió que TENÍA que hacerlo o se encontraría en una peor situación de azotar una tormenta de gran calibre.

Con todo y los esfuerzos de mitigación, una pared de la fabrica sostuvo daños que costarán aproximadamente $270,000 en reparaciones. La limpieza costará otros $400,000. Además, las aguas de inundaciones causaron daños a las cajas de cartón valorados en aproximadamente $900,000.  Su seguro de inundaciones cubrirá $500,000 en reparaciones a la infraestructura y otros $500,000 por el inventario dañado.  (La cobertura del seguro por inundaciones para negocios es diferente que la cobertura para los propietarios de hogares, la cual tiene un limite de $250,000 para arreglos de daños estructurales y $100,000 por los bienes dentro del hogar que hayan sido dañados por las inundaciones).


Brooklyn, N.Y., 4 de diciembre de 2012 – Empleados de la Cornell Paper and Box Company en Red Hook continúan con los esfuerzos de recogido y limpieza de cajas dentro de la fabrica que fue inundada durante el huracán Sandy. Los negocios afectados por la tormenta pueden comunicarse con la Administración de Pequeños Negocios de los Estados Unidos (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) para recibir información sobre los préstamos a bajos intereses por desastre visitando cualquiera de los centros de recuperación por desastres del estado de Nueva York/FEMA y los 18 centros de recuperación por desastres de SBA.                                                         
                 

Brooklyn, N.Y., 4 de diciembre de 2012 – La empresa local de Red Hook, Cornell Paper and Box Company, continúa con sus esfuerzos de limpieza de la fabrica, la cual fue inundada durante el paso del huracán Sandy. Los negocios afectados por la tormenta pueden comunicarse con la Administración de Pequeños Negocios de los Estados Unidos (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) para recibir información sobre los préstamos a bajos intereses por desastre visitando cualquiera de los centros de recuperación por desastres del estado de Nueva York/FEMA y los 18 centros de recuperación por desastres de SBA.                                                                           

Para pagar la diferencia, Robbins tendrá que solicitar un préstamo a bajo interés por desastre de medio millón de dólares de la Administración de Pequeños Negocios de los Estados Unidos (la cual también ofrece prestamos a bajos intereses para que propietarios de hogares puedan reparar los daños sufridos).  Tomará varios meses antes de que Cornell pueda almacenar el inventario de papel necesario para que la producción vuelva a como era antes. Mientras tanto, Robbins trata de recuperar algo de sus perdidas rentando espacio vacío dentro de su fabrica a personas para que estas puedan almacenar sus cosas, (un cliente está almacenando su motora donde usualmente se almacenan cantidades de cajas de cartón).

Aún así, Robbins ha estimado que de no haber sido por las medidas de mitigación que se llevaron a cabo antes del azote de la tormenta, los daños le hubiesen costado un millón de dólares adicionales. Ahora el plan es traer otras 400 toneladas de roca para reemplazar lo que Sandy se llevó.
Robbins dice que una vez realice las reparaciones estará aun mejor preparado para afrontar a próxima tormenta y que se estará ahorrando otro millón de dólares – o más.

Después de que el Presidente emite una declaración de desastre mayor, FEMA provee financiamiento al estado para subsidios de mitigación.  Para más información sobre cómo solicitar para recibir estos subsidios, visite la siguiente página de pregunta frecuentes sobre el Programa de Subsidios para la Mitigación de Daños.

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs

At the end of each week, we post a "What We’re Watching" blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.

New Year – Get Prepared
With the start of a new year, many of us have once again made a resolution to live a more healthy life, shop less and save more, donate to a charitable organization, among many others. And although it’s sometimes difficult to keep the momentum after the first couple of weeks in the New Year, why not make a few small and simple changes to help you and your loved ones prepare for an emergency?

Disasters can strike anywhere, at any moment, so it’s important to make sure you and your families are prepared. Here are a few simple tips to help get you prepared should an emergency occur:

• Set a monthly reminder in your calendar to test your home’s smoke alarms – the first of every month in your personal or work calendar can serve as a great reminder to test your smoke alarms. While you’re testing your smoke alarm, practice your emergency escape plan. After all, practice makes perfect.

• Be Informed and Make a Plan - Not all communities in a state or territory share the same risks, so it’s important to learn what to do should a disaster strike in your area. Visit www.ready.gov for a list of tips on staying safe before, during and after a disaster. Once you’ve learned the facts, make a family emergency plan. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it's important to know how you will contact one another, where you will meet up and what you will do in case of an emergency.   Don’t forget about making plans for your pets – they are important members of the family too.

• Pick up one item for your emergency kit on each of your shopping runs – building your family’s emergency kit doesn’t need to happen in one fell swoop. Pick up canned food, bottled water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and other recommended emergency items over the first month or two of the year, that way you spread the cost of building your emergency supply kit.

Keeping our New Year resolutions can be difficult, but taking these steps to help keep you and your family members safe can be fun and simple.

Winter Is Upon Us
As we move further into the winter months and old man winter continues to rear his (sometimes) ugly head, I wanted to take a moment to remind of some tips for staying safe this winter.

• Have an emergency kit in your vehicle – if a winter storm develops suddenly, have supplies on hand in case you’re stranded in your vehicle. Some items to include in your kit include:
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Water
  • Blanket
  • Adequate clothing such as gloves, hat, scarf, and extra clothes
• Take precautions for power outages – winter storms often cause power outages, so be sure your family and home take steps to sustain yourselves for at least 72 hours and be sure you have winter weather supplies such as:
  • Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways
  • Sand to improve traction on exterior walkways
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
• Limit travel during a storm – only venture out on the roads if it’s absolutely necessary. If you have to travel, be sure to let someone know your destination, expected arrival time and the route you’re taking.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
• Practice safe snow removal - moving snow can be strenuous, so take breaks and make sure to give your body a rest.  Overworking yourself in cold weather can put extra strain on your heart.

Familiarize yourself with winter weather terms often used to identify a winter storm hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued:

• Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
• Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
• Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
• Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two. Follow local news reports and be alert to changing weather conditions.
• Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon. Stay indoors during the storm and avoid traveling.
• Blizzard Warning means heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill.
• Frost/Freeze Warning means below freezing temperatures are expected.

Visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather for a more complete list of what to do before, during and after winter weather and extreme cold.

Happy New Year!