FEMA Blog

Posted by: Public Affairs

Every Friday, we do a “What We’re Watching” blog as we look ahead to the weekend. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.

Severe Weather Outlook
Over the next few days, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is calling for drought conditions to continue for much of the southern U.S., stretching from Arizona to Florida. In many areas, these drought conditions have raised the chances of wildfire outbreaks, so make sure you know how to prevent and stay safe from wildfires. And as wildfires continue in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, we continue to support emergency responders and firefighters through Fire Management Assistance Grants.

While drought conditions persist across the south, widespread flooding is predicted to continue for parts of the Mississippi, Missouri, and North Platte rivers. We continue to work alongside the entire emergency management team to support the affected states, as we have since flooding started earlier this spring.

Be sure to stay up to date with your local forecast this weekend – check out Ready.gov for tips on getting you and your family prepared for any emergency.

Registration Deadlines Approaching
Several of our bloggers have talked about our ongoing recovery efforts across the southeast and central U.S. since this spring’s deadly storms, tornadoes and flooding. While we continue to provide support to local and state governments through public assistance, the deadline for individuals and business owners to apply for federal assistance is quickly approaching in some states. Anyone that sustained losses in a county that’s eligible for individual assistance should apply, regardless of whether they have insurance. However, survivors should still contact their insurance companies and file necessary claims as well. Visit our page about the three step process for applying. (Check out our three step guide to applying for assistance to find what information is needed to apply, what items are covered, and more.)

Survivors can apply for assistance by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585), visiting www.disasterassistance.gov/ or m.fema.gov on your phone or by visiting a nearby disaster recovery center. For information on your state’s application deadline, visit the disaster page.

Talking Hurricane Preparedness With The Weather Channel
In case you missed it, Administrator Craig Fugate stopped by Weather Channel studios yesterday to talk about hurricane preparedness. Hurricane season started June 1 and lasts until November 30, so take the steps your family or your workplace needs to get prepared today – before a hurricane or tropical storm threatens your community. Check out the full story about Craig’s visit at Weather.com.

Check Out Our Latest Photos and Videos
As we continue our ongoing recovery efforts in areas that have been impacted from the severe weather over the past several months, we encourage you to take a look at our photo and video libraries. Here are a few of our recent photos to get you started:


Tuscaloosa, AL, June 11, 2011 -- University of Alabama Heisman Trophy winner and New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram poses for pictures with a faith-based volunteer group from Georgia. Mark came back to Tuscaloosa to help FEMA Community Relations by meeting with volunteers and survivors.

Morehouse, Missouri was inundated by flooding in late April of 2011. Almost every home was touched by the disaster in one way or another. AmeriCorps Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corps has spent many hours in the community hauling trash, scrapping floors and cleaning homes. The city of Morehouse has honored them for their service at a community picnic.

Fort Pierre, SD, June 7, 2011 -- U.S. Air National Guard 114 Fighting Wing members gather at sunrise to begin patrol on the levee in Fort Pierre, S.D. FEMA and other federal agencies are supporting the State Incident Management Team in their effort to prepare for flooding along the Missouri River.


Big Rock, TN, June 15, 2011 -- Foudiya Henri (left), a community relations field worker, talks with Tom Whitehawk as Shavonne Westerfield, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and Kristen McEnroe (background), Federal Coordinating Officer Cadre listen in. Community relations field workers are often the first face-to-face contact many survivors have with the agency.