A survivor’s story: One year after Hurricane Harvey AUSTIN, Texas — Greg Norman and his dog, Jake, live in a nice, comfortable home that has largely been rebuilt since Hurricane Harvey. Norman knows, however, things could have turned out very differently if it weren’t for the help of charitable organizations and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “I wanted to be the guy who told FEMA how much I appreciated them,” Norman said in June, “because without their assistance, without any exaggeration, Jake and I could be living under a bridge somewhere.”...
Aug
20
Aug
17
A survivor’s story: One year after Hurricane Harvey AUSTIN, Texas — Lying on her bed in Port Aransas the night after Hurricane Harvey tore through, Sandra Maynard was startled when her lap dog, Fritz, began to bark. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, the looters are here.’” The 76-year-old had just inventoried her home and was making plans for her second night alone since her one-story townhome flooded with rainwater and sewage. She had a flashlight, but all her candles were gone. “I did have sheets and stuff in a closet,” she said,...
Aug
15
Before considering new construction and repairs on property located in flood-hazard areas, survivors of the severe storms in Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells counties are urged to consult local building officials to obtain floodplain development permits. Obtaining building permits is especially important for those with homes or businesses located within a 100-year floodplain. Floodplain development permits cannot be waived, and local governments cannot reduce or ignore the floodplain requirement. Know your local flood risk by viewing and downloading your community’s flood risk products from FEMA’s Map Service Center (MSC) Product Catalog. Flood...
Aug
15
AUSTIN, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $1.2 million for the City of Groves to remove debris deposited by Hurricane Harvey. The cost of debris removal in Groves is nearly $1.4 million. The grant of more than $1.2 million is the federal share of the cost and requires a 10 percent nonfederal match by the applicant, or $137,964. This grant comes from FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response to and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants...
Aug
14
FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 14, 2018
Significant Activity for August 13-14, 2018
Significant Events: Western Wildfires
Tropical Activity:
• Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Medium (40%)
• Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: High (90%); Disturbance 2: Low (10%)
• Central Pacific –Disturbance 1: Low (10%)
• Western Pacific – Tropical Storm Hector – no threat to U.S. interests
Significant Weather:
• Flash flooding possible – Southern/Central Plains to Lower/Middle Mississippi valleys; Mid-Atlantic to Northeast
• Elevated fire weather – ID and CO
• Isolated dry thunderstorms – CA, NV, UT,...
Aug
13
A survivor story: One year after Hurricane Harvey AUSTIN, Texas – Rose Pickens knew more about floods and federal disaster assistance than most people when Hurricane Harvey hit. She had received aid from FEMA after her house was damaged in the Memorial Day 2016 flood, and through her role as director of a local nonprofit, she had assisted many impoverished families whose homes had flooded. Nonetheless, her family’s road to recovery after Harvey presented a slow, daunting journey. “A lot of people think it’s a sprint, that it should be done quickly,...
Aug
13
FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 13, 2018
Significant Activity for August 10-13, 2018
Significant Events: Wildfires
Tropical Activity: • Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Low (20%)• Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: Medium (40%); Disturbance 2: Low (20%)• Central Pacific – Tropical Storm Hector• Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests
Significant Weather: • Elevated/Critical Fire weather – Or, CA, NV, & ID• Isolated Dry Thunderstorms – MT, ID, WY, NV, UT, & CO• Flash Flooding possible – NY, PA, & NJ• Red Flag Warnings – NV & CO
Declaration Activity: • Major Disaster Declaration approved...
Aug
12
FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 12, 2018
Significant Activity for August 11-12, 2018
Significant Events: Wildfires – CA
Tropical Activity: • Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Low (10%)• Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: Low (20%); Disturbance 2: Low (near 0%)• Central Pacific – Hurricane Hector (CAT 1)• Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests
Significant Weather: • Elevated/Critical Fire weather – ID, MT, & Northern Plains• Isolated Dry Thunderstorms – MT, ID, WY, NV, UT, & CO• Flash Flooding possible – TX• Red Flag Warnings – NV, CA, ID, MT,...
Aug
11
FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 11, 2018
Significant Activity – Aug 10-11
Significant Events: Wildfires – CA
Tropical Activity: • Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Low (10%); Disturbance 2: Low (20%)• Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: Low (30%); Tropical Storm Kristy• Central Pacific – Hurricane Hector (CAT 3)• Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests
Significant Weather: • Elevated/critical fire weather – WA, ID, MT, ND, SD, OR, WY, CA, NV, & UT• Isolated dry thunderstorms – WA, ID, & MT• Red Flag Warnings – WA, ID, MT, SD, OR,...
Aug
10
AUSTIN, Texas – Disaster survivors from Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells counties who are rebuilding and repairing their homes can visit local home improvement stores to get free hazard mitigation consultations from FEMA mitigation representatives. Mitigation advisors will be on-hand to answer questions about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster related damage. Topics include flood insurance and elevating of utilities. Most of the information provided is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors. FEMA Mitigation Specialists will be available at these stores: CountyLocationsDatesHoursCameronLowe’s Store4705 South Expy 77/83Harlingen, TX 78550Monday, Aug. 20Tues. Aug. 21...