FEMA Blog

Bill Read, the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center, announced that he plans to retire by this June.

All of us across FEMA and the larger emergency management team will greatly miss Bill and thank him for his outstanding service to our nation throughout his career, spanning more than four decades. Bill not only brought tremendous leadership to the National Hurricane Center, he was also a great friend and partner to FEMA and state and local officials across the country.

Under his direction, FEMA, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center continued to strengthen our internal collaboration and our focus on preparedness. He also spearheaded the Center's use of social media to modernize their communications efforts and provide important weather tracking updates in real time.

Bill has served as the Director of the National Hurricane Center since 2008. Prior to coming to FEMA, we also worked together when I served as the head of emergency management for the state of Florida.

We wish Bill the best of luck as he begins to pursue his new endeavors, and know that he will continue to be a proud advocate for personal readiness and empowering all Americans with the information they need to prepare for disasters.

We've got some good news, some "not so good" news, and some more good news regarding hurricane season.

The first bit of good news is that today marks the official end to the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.  And lest anyone forget, this year's hurricane season was very active.  2011 tied for one of the busiest tropical seasons on record in the Atlantic.  Since keeping records as far back as 1851, this season tied with 1887, 1995, and 2010, where there were a total of 19 tropical storms of which seven became hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.  

In fact, to get a good visual of the busy tropics, take a look at the 2011 season as viewed from space courtesy of our friends from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Each storm in the video loop is named.  Pay particular attention to the monster that became Hurricane Irene, the lone hurricane to hit the U.S. this year causing severe damage along the entire east coast.

Now a bit of "not so good" news.  No matter how hard we try to stop them from coming, there will be another hurricane season around the corner next year beginning on June 1, 2012 – and many other types of disasters in between.

So as always, we wish to remind you it is never too late to prepare, either for next hurricane season or for any type of disaster that may impact where you live, from severe winter weather to wildfires to flooding to tornadoes.  In fact, why not take advantage of the holiday gift giving season and help loved ones prepare by purchasing a gift of preparedness (i.e., flashlights, fire extinguishers, go-kits for the car, or an emergency supply kit).

But let's wrap up on a little bit of good news.  We're happy to let you know that when preparing for next year's hurricane season, due to 2012 being a leap-year, you’ll have one additional full day (February 29th) to get yourself prepared.  So instead of having the usual 181 days until the next hurricane season, you'll have 182 days.  Use them wisely to prepare.

As we say goodbye to this hurricane season and continue to prepare for all hazards, we also want to thank the entire team, including our state, local, tribal and territorial partners, the faith-based community, non-profits, the private sector, volunteer groups and of course the public. Each of these partners played a critical role in helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from the different storms that made landfall this year and many of them are continuing to work hard on the ground as rebuilding efforts continue.

And don't forget to visit the new ready.gov for more information on how you can get ready today.

Posted by: James N. Russo, Federal Coordinating Officer, Vermont Tropical Storm Irene


In a state where billboards are banned, FEMA has had to get a little more creative about getting our message to the public.

Much of Vermont was flooded by Tropical Storm Irene in late August and our private sector liaisons and state counterparts have been busy coming up with new and unique ways to let those affected know where they can turn for federal assistance. Normally, we coordinate with the state to display disaster assistance information on digital billboards where it will be seen by as many motorists as possible.

But many Vermonters feel very strongly about keeping the views of their scenic mountains and valleys unobstructed. In 1958, the state was the first to ban billboards, followed by Hawaii, Alaska and Maine. However, the folks here have learned to blend their message into the natural landscape in enterprising and cost-effective ways. When we asked our state counterparts the best way to post a banner with disaster assistance information, they suggested we do the same thing that local farmers do to promote their produce stands: place it on a hay wagon. With the help of the Vermont Farm Bureau, the wagon has already made a stop at a tractor parade and will continue en route throughout the state to be strategically placed at highly-trafficked farm fields.

Another example of how we work with the private sector: Partnering with local coffee shops in each of the 12 federally-declared Vermont counties, each of whom agreed to use recycled cup sleeves with FEMA’s www.disasterassistance.gov web address and FEMA registration number (1-800-621-3362) printed on them.


We may have tackled coffee and hay, but our work isn’t done. Our next challenge is to figure out a way to promote our messages through the bovine community, since Vermont has more cows per capita than any other state. We figure if we can find a way to get the word out by using cattle as billboards, we may have found new meaning to the phrase "cattle branding."

For more on the ongoing recovery efforts in Vermont, visit our disaster page. And as a reminder, the deadline to apply for federal assistance in Vermont is November 15, so if you or someone you know is in an eligible county and was affected by the storm, apply today.

And if you have a great idea about how we can continue to use creative means to communicate with and support survivors here in Vermont, let us know. Leave a comment below.

Editor’s note: FEMA established the Private Sector division in 2007 to improve information sharing and coordination between government and the private sector. This partnership has proven extremely beneficial to the recovery and resilience of a community affected by disaster.

Published by: Public Affairs

Earlier today, the National Hurricane Center downgraded Rina to a tropical storm, and their latest forecasts say the storm will have a limited impact on the U.S. mainland or territories. As Rina is losing its strength, we’re also closely watching another potentially developing storm in the south Caribbean.

While it’s good news that Rina isn’t expected to pose much of a threat, the current activity in the tropics is a reminder that the Atlantic hurricane season lasts until November 30. As we near the end of the season, hurricanes and tropical storms are likely to form in the Caribbean, and can affect both coastal and inland areas of the U.S. and its territories.

The time to get prepared is before a tropical storm or hurricane threatens your community. You and your family can get started today by visiting Ready.gov/hurricanes, and by implementing some of these simple tips:

• Create an emergency supply kit that will sustain your family (including pets) for at least 72 hours. Your kit should include water, non-perishable food items, a flashlight, extra batteries, a hand-crank radio, any medical or prescription items you may need, and other supplies. Download the FEMA App (Apple and Android users) to check off items in your interactive emergency kit.

• Review and practice what your family would do during an emergency. We call this an “emergency plan”, and it spells out how you and your family will stay in touch, where you would meet, and who you would contact in case disaster strikes.

• Stay up to date with the latest conditions in your area. Know the TV and radio stations where you can find breaking news for your area. On your computer or mobile phone, bookmark useful websites like the FEMA mobile site, National Hurricane Center mobile site, or the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention mobile site. And find out if your local emergency management agency has an emergency notification system, and how you would receive their updates. (More tips on staying informed at Ready.gov.)

Posted by: Public Affairs

We continue to closely watch Hurricane Rina as it swirls in the Caribbean. Rina currently has maximum sustained winds of over 100 mph, and is forecast to approach the Yucatan Peninsula by Thursday morning.


October 25, 2011 – Photo of Hurricane Rina just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula (courtesy of National Hurricane Center).

While it is still too early to know whether Rina will affect the U.S. mainland or territories in the Caribbean, our regional offices in Atlanta, New York (responsible for supporting Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Denton, Texas are closely monitoring the storm. For the latest updates on Hurricane Rina or developing severe tropical weather, visit the National Hurricane Center online at hurricanes.gov (hurricanes.gov/mobile on your mobile device), or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30, and late October can be an active part of the season as storms tend to develop in the Caribbean. So if you haven’t already, now is the time to be prepared if you live in a coastal area or could be affected by severe tropical weather. Visit Ready.gov/hurricanes (Listo.gov para español) to learn how to prepare your home and family for a hurricane or tropical storm.

Posted by: Public Affairs


October 24 - Hurricane Rina forecast graphic from the National Hurricane Center.

We’re closely monitoring Hurricane Rina in the western Caribbean.  According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Rina will gradually turn toward the west over the next 48 hours, remaining in the Caribbean through Friday.

While it’s still too early to know if Rina's track will affect the U.S. mainland or our territories in the Caribbean, Rina’s development serves as a reminder that we are still in a very active hurricane season.

Here are some tips for preparing for severe tropical weather:

• Remember to include items like a flashlight, hand-crank radio, and a solar powered cell phone charger in your emergency kit to sustain your family for at least 72 hours.

• Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another (i.e., text messaging), how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.

Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov for tips on creating your family emergency plan and putting together an emergency supply kit.

And remember to follow local TV and radio reports for the latest conditions in your area, and visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov (or http://mobile.weather.gov/ on your phone) for the latest severe weather watches/warnings in your area.

Posted by: Don R. Boyce, Administrator, Region I (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut)

Even as the leaves change color in New England, many communities across the region are still working hard, recovering from the damage from this past season’s destructive weather.

At FEMA, we continue to work closely with our state and local partners that are still recovering from the tornadoes that swept through the Connecticut River Valley and the aftermath of tropical storm Irene. Both events affected homes, businesses and communities in all six states in the region. We continue to support individuals and communities affected by these disasters, and the recovery has come a long way, as this video shows:

Between June 1 and October 1, across New England, FEMA and the Small Business Administration has provided the following support:

• 6,302 individuals and families approved for grants totaling $29,160,789
• 434 individuals and families approved for low-interest disaster loans totaling $20,542,400
• 52 businesses approved for low-interest disaster loans totaling $5,684,100

And as of Thursday, October 13, $4,841,388 in public assistance grants have been obligated for 416 local governments and private nonprofits. The numbers will continue to rise; our work here is far from over.

FEMA has set up offices across the region to ensure we’re working closely with our partners at the state, local and tribal levels, as well as voluntary organizations and others in the private sector. We want to ensure that every penny of assistance eligible under law reaches the communities that need them.

As New Englanders work to recover from the impact of the recent storms, FEMA continues to offer assistance and support to local and state partners across the region. We are proud partners in this recovery effort and remain committed to offer support and assistance for the remainder of the recovery effort.

For more on the ongoing recovery efforts, visit our disaster pages:

Connecticut – Tropical Storm Irene
Maine – Tropical Storm Irene
Massachusetts – Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Massachusetts – Tropical Storm Irene
Rhode Island – Tropical Storm Irene
Vermont – Tropical Storm Irene
New Hampshire – Tropical Storm Irene

Posted by: Stephen M. De Blasio Sr., Federal Coordinating Officer, Connecticut Tropical Storm Irene

Dayville, CT, Brooklyn, CT, September 29, 2011 -- FEMA Community Education Specialist, Steven Klein, right, shows a mitigation activity book to local resident Dylan Lacasse, 3, during a community education outreach event at Lowe's. FEMA specialists distributed over 200 cd''s that include mitigation publications for Tropical Storm Irene.

It’s been a month since President Obama’s Sept. 2 major disaster declaration for the state of Connecticut following Tropical Storm Irene. FEMA and its state partners continue to make major strides in the support of the Constitution State’s recovery.

Providing assistance & getting the word out to survivors
Our community relations teams have been canvassing the state and have visited more than 5,600 homes. Working closely with faith-based and community-based organizations, we’ve met face-to-face with nearly 16,000 people to let them know about the many resources available to them for disaster recovery. To date, our community relations teams have also facilitated a dozen local forums, answering requests from towns, congressional staffs, mayors and selectmen. These efforts have led to more than 6,000 residents registering for assistance and more than $4.3 million in aid being disbursed to disaster survivors.

Keeping the pace, we have transitioned 11 Disaster Recovery Centers into seven Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Location Outreach Centers, with one disaster recovery center open through Oct. 6. These centers allow residents and business owners to meet with SBA officials to answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program and help them complete their disaster loan application.

Meanwhile, we continue to meet one-on-one with officials from local jurisdictions to provide information and assistance regarding their damage claims. We currently have more than 80 meetings scheduled with local officials in town and city governments to share information about disaster recovery programs.

Rebuilding tips for Connecticut residents

We’re also helping survivors rebuild smarter, providing the public with tips and advice at 19 home improvement stores throughout the state. While shopping, residents can stop by a mitigation outreach table and find out how to protect their homes from future storms and disasters. Here are details about some of the upcoming mitigation events in:

• Bristol, Madison, Milford and New Haven
• Bridgeport, Dayville, Groton and Old Saybrook

Together with our partners across the emergency management team, we will continue to remain focused on making the state’s recovery a speedy and thorough one.

Many communities across the country continue to recover from natural disasters - and members of the emergency management team are working tirelessly to support the affected individuals and communities. The photos below show this team in action in the past week – a team that includes federal, state and local government agencies, voluntary and faith-based organizations, the private sector, and concerned citizens.

For more FEMA photos, visit our Photo Library. If you’d like to learn more about helping those recovering from a disaster, visit fema.gov/howtohelp.


Hickory Point, NC, September 17, 2011 -- State and FEMA representatives check on a survivor of Hurricane Irene in a community that was hit by high storm surge.


Hazleton, PA, September 17, 2011 -- Laurie Buzzard and Gwen Rudacille, volunteers with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, carry food prepared for the American Red Cross to distribute to the survivors of tropical storm Lee.


Bastrop, TX, September 17, 2011 -- FEMA Community Relations and Individual Assistance specialists work with deaf and hard of hearing survivors at a Disaster Recovery Center in Bastrop, TX. FEMA is working with local, state and other federal agencies to provide assistance to residents affected by recent fires.


S. Royalton, VT, September 16, 2011 -- Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino meet with residents at the South Royalton Fire Department to answer questions regarding flooding caused by tropical storm Irene. FEMA is providing funds for both individual assistance and public assistance in Vermont.


Briarcliff, TX, September 16, 2011 -- Gary Grabow, a FEMA individual assistance specialist talks to a survivor about available recovery programs in a disaster recovery center. FEMA is working with local, state and other federal agencies to provide assistance to residents of the areas affected by the recent fires.


Cayey, PR, September 16, 2011 -- FEMA community relations specialists review damaged properties. FEMA community relations teams are reaching out in affected communities to get information about disaster assistance to Hurricane Irene survivors.


Duryea, PA, September 16, 2011 -- FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool speaks with resident Johanna Yachna about her FEMA application. She and her sister were flooded out of their home after tropical storm Lee caused extensive flooding.


Lambertville, NJ, September 15, 2011 -- Disaster survivor Betty McCoy (center) speaks to Patricia Selby (left) and Annabelle Townson (right), FEMA community relations specialists. FEMA Community Relations Specialists visited disaster survivors "door-to-door" in Lambertville after much of the city was flooded due to the effects of Hurricane Irene on August 28.


Lambertville, NJ, September 15, 2011 -- Disaster survivor Brian Keyes listens to FEMA Community Relations Specialists Patricia Selby and Annabelle Townson explain FEMA assistance programs as they hand out FEMA fliers to disaster survivors "door-to-door" in Lambertville.


Bastrop, TX, September 14, 2011 -- Kevin L. Hannes, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer, inspects an emergency relief kit being given to survivors by the American Red Cross at the Disaster Recovery Center. FEMA is working with local, state and other federal agencies to provide assistance to residents affected by recent fires.


Vega Alta, PR, September 14, 2011 -- Iris Delgado from the National Flood Insurance Program provides information about the program to a disaster survivor at an outreach activity. Having flood insurance is another way FEMA encourages people to get prepared before a disaster strikes.


Harrisburg, PA, September 14, 2011 -- Cleanup continues along Front Street in the Shipoke neighborhood after the remnants of tropical storm Lee dumped 13 inches of rain and flooded homes up and down this street. FEMA is providing assistance to individuals and business owners in several Pennsylvania counties due to flooding from the remnants of tropical storm Lee.


Old Saybrook, CT, September 14, 2011 -- Members of state and local government and qualified non-profit agencies attend a Public Assistance Applicant briefing. The briefings are conducted with Connecticut's Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and FEMA to give local officials information about available assistance from the state and federal governments.


Rocky Mount, NC, September 13, 2011 -- Temporary Housing Units begin to arrive in North Carolina. FEMA supplies these units for up to 18 months to families who cannot return to their homes and have no other temporary housing.


Barnard area, VT, September 12, 2011 -- One of the many bridges in Vermont destroyed by torrential rains and flash floods in August and September. Tropical storm Irene dumped as much as 11 inches of rain in some areas of Vermont. The state of Vermont is working with FEMA to repair bridges and roads.

Posted by: Stephen De Blasio Sr., Federal Coordinating Officer

When Tropical Storm Irene blew through Connecticut, FEMA was well prepared to help the state and disaster survivors get their recovery underway as needed. Together with state and local officials, preliminary damage assessments were quickly wrapped up and federal assistance was approved for individuals and business owners in eight counties across the state.


Milford, CT, September 1, 2011 --September 1, 2011--City crews and residents clean up in neighborhoods after Hurricane Irene battered the Connecticut shoreline.

While FEMA’s operations have just moved into our Joint Field Office in Windsor, Ct., the team has already:

• Opened nine disaster recovery centers, providing places for disaster survivors to meet face to face with federal and state experts and ask any questions related to their recovery.
• Dispatched 90 community relations representatives into the field, telling those in hard-hit areas about the importance of applying for disaster assistance.
• Scheduled nine Public Assistance briefings this week, where local officials and community leaders learn more about the recovery resources available to them.
• Had 19 inspectors on the ground, assessing damages and meeting with survivors.
• Prepared English, Spanish and Vietnamese fliers to be distributed to the appropriate communities encouraging affected individuals to apply for assistance.

To date, more than 3,000 residents have registered for disaster assistance. We’ve also been working with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, recognized tribal nations of the state, as recovery efforts continue.


East Haven, CT, September 3, 2011 --FEMA Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Steve DeBlasio talks to local residents about the process for applying for federal assistance at a Help Fair organized by the city, held at East Haven High School. The state will now be receiving federal assistance due to the President declaring a major disaster declaration due to the impact of Hurricane Irene.

People in Connecticut’s eight counties are now applying for assistance that may cover expenses such as:

• lodging because of temporary relocation during the flooding,
• repairs done to homes damaged by Irene and
• transportation costs such as renting a car because a household’s personal car was flooded by the storm.

All along the way, officials have not only toured storm damaged communities but met with storm survivors. Immediately after the storm struck, FEMA Deputy Administrator Serino toured the state and early last week Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro and Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and other elected officials toured areas affected by Tropical Storm Irene and visited with survivors.

For more updates on ongoing recovery efforts in Connecticut, visit the disaster page.


East Haven, CT, September 5, 2011 --Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, (blue shirt) talks with local residents. Napolitano was joined by members of the Congressional delegation as well as State and Local Elected Officials. Governor Malloy, is to left of Napolitano. Also picutred are US Senator Richard Blumentahal, left, US Senator Joseph Lieberman, center, and US Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and local first responders.

Published by: Don Boyce, Administrator, FEMA Region I

We continue to support the recovery efforts of our state, local and tribal partners from the effects of Irene and the remnants of tropical storm Lee and the historic flooding that affected not just those in the Northeast, but millions up and down the eastern seaboard.

I wanted to share a video highlighting how dangerous and devastating flooding and flash flooding can be. Tragically, flooding and flash flooding claim lives every year, and this video reinforces the importance of listening to local officials if they give evacuation orders. Listen as survivors and first responders share their experiences and lessons learned:

I encourage you to visit Ready.gov/floods to learn how you can create a family emergency plan. And for more on our ongoing support in the state of Vermont, visit the disaster page.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Between wildfires in Texas, remnants of tropical storm Lee causing heavy rains and flooding in the northeast, and developing tropical storm systems in the Atlantic, here’s an overview of what we’re doing to continue supporting states – whether they are responding to current disasters or preparing for the next one.

Texas Wildfires

• We continue to closely monitor and work with states affected by recent wildfires. Last night, we approved an additional Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the state of Texas, raising the total to nine for this series of wildfires. As we said in previous updates, the Administration has multiple Fire Management Assistance Grants for Texas in the last several days, and 54 so far in 2011, making federal funds available to reimburse eligible costs associated with efforts to combat the fires. Two FMAGs were approved yesterday to support the firefighting efforts of first responders and firefighters in California as well.
• In Texas, we are actively working with state and local officials to conduct damage assessments and to identify areas where additional federal assistance may be warranted. FEMA and the state have been operating an open Joint Field Office in Austin since the major disaster declaration was announced this past July. Our Incident Management Assistance Team continues to work with state officials in Austin to further assist with coordination.

For more information on our role, visit yesterday’s wildfire update and to get prepared for wildfires, visit www.Ready.gov/wildfires.


Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee



Orange, CT, September 8, 2011 -- FEMA Applicant Services Program Specialist, Mandy McNatt, right, works on a computer with Disaster Recovery Center lead, Doug Kohler, at a center set up to assist local residents impacted by Tropical Storm Irene. Disaster Recovery Centers have been opened up in areas throughout the state to offer information about programs available to local residents.

As we continue working closely to support states’ recovery efforts from the effects of Irene, we are also supporting state, tribal and local response operations from the remnants of tropical storm Lee. Through our regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, we continue to be in constant contact and coordination with our federal, state and tribal emergency management partners to support states that are being affected by the ongoing flooding.

• Last night, President Obama signed emergency declarations for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of New York as a result of the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, making federal assistance available to save lives and protect property and public health and safety. (We recently posted a blog with details on federal assistance before, during and after severe tropical weather.)
• We currently have emergency response personnel on the ground in Alabama, Mississippi, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and other Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states, that were mobilized in response to Hurricane Irene and earlier disasters, who are actively supporting state and local response efforts.
• We also have liaison officers in Mid-Atlantic state emergency operations centers and continues to be in constant coordination with the National Weather Service, other federal partners and state emergency management agency partners across the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast.

There are areas from the Mid-Atlantic, into upstate New York and southern New England where flooding, or flash flooding may occur or continue. As we continue to monitor the flooding in along the east coast we urge residents to follow the instructions of local officials. For more flood safety tips, see this past blog post.

Tropical Storm Maria



We continue to monitor Tropical Storm Maria’s path and activity in the east Atlantic. In coordination with local officials, we have pre-positioned resources including personnel, in several locations to help with emergency response coordination and other needs. We have deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team to the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist territory and local authorities in coordination efforts; and we already have a Joint Field Office open in Puerto Rico due to our ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Irene.

While it’s too soon to know if Maria will bring additional impacts to portions of the U.S. mainland, we are closely monitoring the storm through our regional office in Atlanta and in touch with all of the states up and down the East Coast.

Going into this weekend, we urge residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to take steps now in case Tropical Storm Maria has an effect in the islands. Tropical storms can bring high winds and heavy rains, so listen to local officials and follow their instructions, which could include sheltering in place.

For additional information, tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, visit www.Ready.gov (or in Spanish at www.Listo.gov).

Posted by: Public Affairs


September 8, 2011 - Map of tropical activity from the National Hurricane Center.

The peak of hurricane season is here, and we’re closely watching the effects of tropical storm Lee’s remnants, Hurricane Katia in the Atlantic, and the newly formed tropical storms – Nate and Maria.

As we continue working closely to support the states recovering from the impacts of Irene, we are also working closely with them to support state and local response operations from Lee as a major flood threat continues. Here’s an overview of what we’re doing:

• We have liaison officers in many Mid-Atlantic state emergency operations centers who are in constant coordination with the National Weather Service, other federal partners and state emergency management agency partners across the Mid-Atlantic states and New England.
• A FEMA liaison is being deployed to the Broome County Emergency Operations Center in New York, to ensure that the state has the needed resources to respond to the ongoing flood threat in that area.
• We have commodities (such as cots, blankets, food and water) that were prepositioned in advance of Hurricane Irene that can be sent out if the state requires additional commodities. In New York, 450 cots were on hand and turned over to the state and delivered to the Binghamton University shelter.

As the remnants of Lee move from the Mid-Atlantic into upstate New York and southern New England, additional heavy rainfall is likely in these locations before the entire system slowly dissipates by the end of the week. If you’re in an area that may be impacted, don’t put yourself at risk; follow the instructions of local officials. (More flood safety tips)

Tropical Storm Maria
In the Atlantic, tropical storm Maria is forecast to move further westward. According to the National Hurricane Center, those in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico should closely monitor the progress of the storm. We are deploying an Incident Management Assistance Team to the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist territory and local authorities in coordination efforts; and we already have a Joint Field Office open in Puerto Rico due to our ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Irene.

Nate and Katia
While tropical storm Nate (in the Gulf of Mexico) and Hurricane Katia (in the Atlantic) pose no immediate threat to the U.S. mainland or territories, we continue to closely monitor their progress. History reminds us that tropical storm systems can change paths with little warning, so those in coastal or inland areas should take steps to get prepared. Hurricane season lasts until November 30, so take steps now to make sure your family and property are safe – visit Ready.gov/hurricanes for more information.

And for the latest on all the developing tropical systems, visit www.hurricanes.gov or http://hurricanes.gov/mobile on your phone.

Posted by: Public Affairs


Paterson, NJ, September 4, 2011 --President Obama along with Federal, State and Local officials, surveyed flood damages in New Jersey. 

The administration, coordinated through FEMA, is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear to support the states and territories that have been affected by Hurricane Irene. FEMA, through our regional offices in Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, New York City, NY, Atlanta, GA, and our Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico, have been in close contact and coordination with the states and territories that have been affected.

President Obama has declared major disaster declarations for the commonwealths and states of North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Virginia and the territory of Puerto Rico as well as emergency declarations for North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont, making available federal resources to support recovery efforts.

The following timeline provides an overview of these and other federal activities, to date, to support these territories, states, families and communities.

Monday, September 5

• DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano is visiting Connecticut to tour damages from Hurricane Irene and meet with state and local officials including Governor Dannel Malloy and first responders.
• As of noon today, more than 50,600 disaster survivors across North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Puerto Rico have registered for assistance.
• Federal, state, tribal and local personnel continue to work together on preliminary damage assessments in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts. These assessments are designed to give the governor of each state a better picture of damages, and to determine if a request for further federal support is needed. As these efforts continue, additional areas may be added for assistance.
• More than 400 community relations specialists are in the field in affected states and additional mobilizations and deployments continue. Community relations teams are helping to inform disaster survivors about available services and resources, and continue to gather situational awareness on the impacts of the storm in support of the affected states.
• In New York, New Jersey, Vermont, North Carolina and Puerto Rico, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open, and more centers are scheduled to open soon. DRCs are locations where disaster survivors can meet one-on-one with representatives from federal, state, local and voluntary agencies to learn about disaster assistance programs. Information about DRC locations and hours is available online at www.fema.gov/drclocator. Check back regularly, as locations are frequently updated, and hours may change.

See yesterday's blog post for a recap of earlier federal activities.

Posted by: Public Affairs

The administration, coordinated through FEMA, is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear to support the states and territories that have been affected by Hurricane Irene. FEMA, through our regional offices in Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, New York City, NY, Atlanta, GA, and our Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico, have been in close contact and coordination with the states and territories that have been affected.

President Obama has declared major disaster declarations for the commonwealths and states of North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Virginia and the territory of Puerto Rico as well as emergency declarations for North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont, making available federal resources to support recovery efforts.

The following timeline provides an overview of these and other federal activities, to date, to support these territories, states, families and communities.

Sunday, September 4

• President Obama visits Paterson, New Jersey, where he is joined by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, to view damage from Hurricane Irene and to be briefed on the response and recovery efforts. FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino travels to Brattleboro, Vermont to meet with state and local officials and visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
• To date, President Obama has signed major disaster declarations for nine commonwealths and states, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and the territory of Puerto Rico, making additional federal assistance available for recovery efforts.
• Residents and businesses in disaster-impacted areas of Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont and Puerto Rico, who have disaster-related losses not covered by insurance, can apply now for federal disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
• As of noon today, more than 44,000 disaster survivors across North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Puerto Rico have registered for assistance.
• In New York, New Jersey, Vermont, North Carolina and Puerto Rico, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open, and more centers are scheduled to open soon in other hard-hit areas. DRCs are locations where disaster survivors can meet one-on-one with representatives from state, local, federal and voluntary agencies to learn about disaster assistance programs. As residents continue to return to their homes, more centers will be opening. Contact your local emergency management office for more information on locations and hours. As power is restored, DRC locations and hours will also be available online at fema.gov/drclocator. Check back regularly, as locations are frequently updated.
• More than 600 housing damage inspectors are in the field in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Puerto Rico to inspect damage to homes of disaster survivors who have applied for disaster assistance. As more survivors continue to apply for assistance, the number of inspectors in the field will continue to grow.
• More than 6,000 volunteers from voluntary and faith-based organizations, including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Southern Baptist Convention have been supporting disaster response and recovery efforts along the East Coast.
• Federal, state and tribal personnel continue to work together on preliminary damage assessments in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and North Carolina. These assessments are designed to give the governor of each state a better picture of damages, and to determine if a request for further federal support is needed. As these efforts continue, additional areas may be added for assistance.

See yesterday's blog post for a recap of earlier federal activities.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Through our regional offices in Atlanta, New York and Texas, we continue to closely monitor tropical storm Lee and Hurricane Katia.

In response to Tropical Storm Lee, an Incident Management and Assistance Team (IMAT) is on site in Louisiana to coordinate with and support state emergency management officials, and a FEMA liaison officer is assigned to the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness emergency operation centers (EOC), and additional IMAT teams and liaisons are on standby and will be deployed to other state EOCs, if requested.

Residents in coastal and inland areas around the Gulf of Mexico should continue to closely monitor tropical storm Lee and be prepared for the following weather conditions (as forecasted by the National Weather Service):

• Total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches from the central Gulf Coast northward into the Tennessee Valley are expected, with possible maximum amounts of 20 inches through Monday night,
• Tropical storm conditions are expected throughout today,
• Tornadoes are possible today and tonight over portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the far western Florida Panhandle.

As of 10am CDT, from tropical storm Lee, there are tropical storm warnings in effect for Destin, Florida westward to Sabine Pass, Texas, including New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain, and Lake Maurepas.

As we wrote in yesterday’s update, here are some key terms to know:

• Flood Watch: flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information
•  Flash Flood Watch: flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
•  Flood Warning: flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
•  Flash Flood Warning: a flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.
• Tornado Watch: a tornado is possible in your area.
• Tornado Warning: a tornado is actually occurring, take shelter immediately.

And here some key safety tips to remember:

•  Avoid walking or driving through flooded areas – it only takes six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
• We urge all individuals in the region to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio and their local news for updates and directions provided by their local officials.
• Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning:
• Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
• If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

And as Always, listen to the instructions of state and local officials.

Regarding Katia, as of 11am AST, the storm had strengthened to become a Category 2 hurricane, but at this time there are no coastal watches or warnings.  For information on the forecast track, visit hurricane.gov and for the latest severe weather watches/warnings in your area, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your phone.

Visit Ready.gov for more information on how to prepare for hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and other hazards, as well as a list of items to add to your emergency kit.

Posted by: Public Affairs

(Entrada de blog en español / Spanish blog post)


Loiza, PR, September 1, 2011 -- FEMA community relations specialist Enrique Colon, informs disaster survivor about the registration process. Community Relations teams are visiting the affected areas to inform the community about the registration process. Eliud Echevarria/FEMA


Albany, NY, September 2, 2011 -- Jamy Arzuaga, Human Resources unit lead, and Annia Santos, HR specialist, are deployed to support FEMA's operation in support of New York State in response to Hurricane Irene. President declares Disaster for State of New York to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Irene. Photo by Elissa Jun/FEMA.


The administration, coordinated through FEMA, is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear to support the states and territories that have been affected by Hurricane Irene. FEMA, through our regional offices in Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, New York City, NY, Atlanta, GA, and our Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico, have been in close contact and coordination with the states and territories that have been affected.

Over the past week, President Obama has declared major disaster declarations for the states of North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and emergency declarations for North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont, making available federal resources to support recovery efforts. Prior to Irene's making landfall on the East Coast a week ago today, FEMA deployed teams and resources along the East Coast from South Carolina to Maine.

In advance of Irene moving through the territories in the Caribbean, FEMA deployed teams to both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to coordinate directly with local officials on the ground. At the direction of President Obama and DHS Secretary Napolitano, FEMA continues to work with our federal, state, territorial, tribal and local partners, as well as voluntary organizations, the private sector, and others to respond to the aftermath of Irene. The following timeline provides an overview of these and other federal activities, to date, to support these territories, states, families and communities.

Saturday, September 3

• Residents and businesses in disaster-impacted areas of Connecticut, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont and Puerto Rico, who have disaster-related losses not covered by insurance, can apply now for federal disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
• As of noon today, more than 39,401 disaster survivors across North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Puerto Rico have registered for individual assistance, which can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the Hurricane Irene.
• Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are currently open in North Carolina, New York and Puerto Rico, and more are being prepared to open in New Jersey and Vermont. DRCs are locations where disaster survivors can meet one-on-one with representatives from state, local, federal, and voluntary agencies to learn about disaster assistance programs. As residents continue to return to their homes, more centers will be opening. Contact your local emergency management office for more information on locations and hours. As power is restored, DRC locations and hours will be available online at www.fema.gov/drclocator. Check back regularly, as locations are frequently updated.
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) is partnering with FEMA and state, local, tribal and territorial governments to assist in helping conduct damage assessments and provide assistance to disaster survivors and communities. SBA urges businesses and nonprofit organizations that may have incurred losses to learn about low-interest disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged real estate or inventory, as well as Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Due to power outages and evacuations, some small businesses made it through the storm, but have lost significant amounts of business. Often, these businesses can be eligible for EIDL loans to help cover working capital needs, regardless of whether the business suffered property damage. More information is available at www.sba.gov.
• Federal, state and tribal personnel continue to conduct preliminary damage assessments in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Maine. These assessments are designed to give the governor of each state a better picture of damages, and to determine if a request for further federal support is needed.

See yesterday's blog post for a recap of earlier federal activities.

(Entrada de blog en español / Spanish blog post)

Through our regional offices in Atlanta, New York and Texas, we continue to closely monitor tropical storm Lee in the Gulf of Mexico and Hurricane Katia in the Atlantic. While it is still too early to know if Katia will pose a threat to the U.S., we are in touch with all of our East Coast states in the event Katia does track toward us in the coming days.

Meanwhile, residents in coastal and inland areas around the Gulf of Mexico should continue to closely monitor tropical storm Lee because the storm is approaching Southeastern Louisiana with heavy rains and strong gusty winds -- and could bring tornadoes along with it. For the latest severe weather watches/warnings in your area, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov or http://mobile.weather.gov on your phone.

The National Weather Service forecasts that Tropical Storm Lee will produce between 10 - 15 inches of rain, with up to 20 inches in isolated areas. With this heavy amount of rain, flooding is likely to occur, so here are some flood terms and safety tips to remember:

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information

• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

• Avoid walking or driving through flooded areas – it only takes six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle.

• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.

• Don’t put yourself at risk, follow the instructions of local officials, and if they give the order to evacuate - evacuate.

The National Weather Service also forecasts areas along the Gulf Coast where isolated tornadoes associated with tropical storm Lee may occur as the storm moves through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the far western Florida Panhandle. Here's a reminder of tornado terms and safety tips:

• A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area.

• A tornado warning is when a tornado is actually occurring, take shelter immediately.

• We urge all individuals in the region to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio and their local news for updates and directions provided by their local officials.

• Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning:

• Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.

• If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

With the tropical storm watches and warnings in effect along the Gulf Coast, it is critical that residents and businesses listen to the instructions of local officials, closely follow news and weather reports, find open shelters in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi if you need a place to stay and evacuate, if told to do so. Learn more on how to prepare for hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and other hazards at http://www.ready.gov

Posted by: Public Affairs

(Entrada de blog en español / Spanish blog post)


Paramus, NJ, August 31, 2011 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino talking with residents staying at a shelter due to Hurricane Irene. FEMA is working with state, local, territorial and tribal partners to assess damages in states affected by Hurricane Irene.


Prattsville, NY, August 31, 2011 -- Disaster survivors congregate outside a mobile disaster recovery center as they apply for federal disaster assistance. FEMA is providing assistance to individuals and business owners in New York affected by the flooding from Irene.


The administration, coordinated through FEMA, is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear to support the states and territories that have been affected by Hurricane Irene. FEMA, through our regional offices in Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, New York City, NY, Atlanta, GA, and our Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico, have been in close contact and coordination with the states and territories that have been affected.

Over the past several days, President Obama has declared major disaster declarations for the states of North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and emergency declarations for North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont, making available federal resources to support response efforts. Prior to Irene's making landfall on the East Coast Saturday, FEMA deployed teams and resources along the East Coast from South Carolina to Maine.

In advance of Irene moving through the territories earlier last week, FEMA deployed teams to both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to coordinate directly with local officials on the ground. At the direction of President Obama and DHS Secretary Napolitano, FEMA continues to work with our federal, state, territorial, tribal and local partners, as well as voluntary organizations, the private sector, and others to respond to the aftermath of Irene. The following timeline provides an overview of these and other federal activities, to date, to support these territories, states, families and communities.

Friday, September 2

• Today, President Obama has amended the existing emergency declaration for Connecticut due to Irene to include individual assistance for residents, which could include temporary housing, repairs, and medical, dental and funeral expenses, personal property and transportation. Residents and businesses in those areas may apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
• Federal, state and tribal personnel continue preliminary damage assessments in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut and Maine. These assessments are designed to give the governor of each state a better picture of damages, and to determine if a request for further federal support is needed.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is coordinating with state partners to provide post-storm response and recovery safety and health hazard information to key stakeholders in local, state and federal agencies as well as the private sector. One of OSHA's primary initial focuses has been to prevent injuries associated with electric power restoration; the agency has been working closely with local utilities and their mutual aid partners.
• FEMA conducts conference calls with congressional delegations from the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, Asian, Black and Hispanic Caucuses and FEMA Authorizers and Appropriators to provide updates on ongoing federal response and recovery to Irene.
• In North Carolina and Puerto Rico, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open. These are centers where disaster survivors can meet one-on-one with representatives from state, local, federal and voluntary agencies to learn about disaster assistance programs. As residents continue to return to their homes, more centers will be opening. For more information on locations and hours, contact your local emergency management.
• President Obama amends the major disaster declaration for the state of New York to make individual assistance available to individuals affected in Clinton, Montgomery, Orange, Rockland, Saratoga, Suffolk, Sullivan and Warren counties. The declaration was also amended to make Public Assistance available for Kings County. This amendment makes available assistance for emergency work and the repair and replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.
• As of noon, more than 30,600 disaster survivors across North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Puerto Rico have registered for assistance.

See yesterday's blog post for a recap of earlier federal activities.

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.


Carolina, Puerto Rico, September 1, 2011 -- Carlos Otero (left) with Ramon Otero (right) at the Carolina Municipal Emergency Management Agency helping with the distribution of blue tarps. FEMA is currently in a joint effort with Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency to distribute blue tarps for affected residents to different municipalities in Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Irene Recovery
We continue to support the states and territories affected by Irene, as the focus of the emergency management community begins to shift from response to recovery. To date, President Obama has made federal disaster assistance available to individuals and business owners in eligible counties in Puerto Rico, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and Vermont. In several other states, we continue to support state, local and tribal response efforts through a federal emergency declaration as we work with our partners to complete damage assessments (this blog post explains federal assistance before, during and after a hurricane).

Those individuals and business owners in eligible counties can apply for assistance today by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ (or m.fema.gov on their phone), calling 800-621-3362, or going to a disaster recovery center in your area. We’ll continue to provide updates regarding our role, highlighting how we continue to work with our partners in the affected areas.


Developing Tropical Systems
As we said on the blog earlier today, we continue to monitor the developing systems in the Atlantic. Check out the blog post for specifics on what we’re doing and how you can stay safe if you live in an area that may be affected by tropical storm Lee or Hurricane Katia.


Kicking Off National Preparedness Month
In case you missed it, Administrator Fugate blogged yesterday about kicking off National Preparedness Month, encouraging you to share your preparedness tips with us and others. In addition to the Administrator’s visit to New York City, kick off events were held in many cities around the U.S. At our regional office in Chicago, Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez started National Preparedness Month with this video:


All month long, we’ll have blog posts devoted to emergency preparedness, so check back for more updates. In the meantime, visit community.fema.gov to join the National Preparedness Month coalition and get tools to help you share emergency preparedness in your school, workplace, home, or business.