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Region IX
|  OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing that Phase II of the American Samoan permanent housing construction program was completed on September 17, 2011. Titles to all 39 homes have now been transferred to families who lost their dwellings to the earthquake generated Tsunami that claimed 31 lives and devastated large parts of the island on September 29, 2009.
FEMA officials noted that this permanent housing solution honors communal living conditions practiced on the island, while meeting the long-term housing needs of families displaced by the disaster. Local resident Ms. Eseta Suis, agreed, saying she felt "blessed" to have moved her family into one of the newly constructed homes. "We finally made it; we have a beautiful house and it is lovely inside and outside. My family and I are very happy because without the FEMA we don't know where we would get the money to build a house like this."
"Completing these homes is another major stride in the long-term recovery effort underway in America Samoa," said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward, whose office coordinated federal relief efforts in American Samoa. "The federal family, and the government of American Samoa have kept their promise to help rebuild the community, and these homes are proof of that commitment."
Due to the unique recovery needs and challenges on the island, FEMA, in coordination with its federal partners and the American Samoa Government, implemented permanent housing construction in an initial pilot program that saw 8 houses built as part of the American Samoa recovery strategy. This was the first such housing mission under the authority granted by Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA), which authorizes FEMA to provide assistance for the construction of permanent housing in insular areas outside the United States and in other locations if no alternative housing resources are available.
"A new home means a new beginning after facing terrible loss," said Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Governor of American Samoa. "These new houses are now a part of our community, and will serve as an anchor for families to continue to rebuild their lives after the disaster."
FEMA has worked closely with the American Samoa Government, its federal and voluntary agency partners, in to provide the following assistance to the island and its residents in response to the disaster:
•Obligated more than $40 million in FEMA's Individual Assistance programs. This includes assistance under various FEMA programs, including Housing Assistance, Other Needs Assistance (dental, medical, moving, storage) and a variety of other needs.
•Obligated more than $49 million to the ASG to rebuild public infrastructure, mitigate against future disasters and reimburse the American Samoa government for some of the money spent during the initial response.
Immediately following the earthquake and tsunami, FEMA and its partners were able to quickly employ an "air bridge" to bring in planeloads of resources, including generators, tents, medical teams and supplies. Other assistance in the early days and weeks included:
•Volunteer partners helped with repairs to damaged homes
•U.S. Army corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), removed hazardous debris from the harbor.
•As a result of the tsunami, the Satala Power Plant was severely damaged, causing a 60 percent loss of power generation on the island. Through a coordinated effort between FEMA, USACE, and the ASG, power was fully restored within three weeks.
•Provided temporary housing and sheltering to those whose homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable:
•Distributed 1,292 dome tents within weeks of the tsunami.
•Provided 473 Celina tents to 18 villages across the island. (A FEMA staffer designed a special floor using pallets and plywood to serve as floors for the Celina tents. American Samoa Government workers built the decks.)
•Distributed short term housing kits including tents, comfort kits, cots/sleeping mats, camp stoves and fuel to villages.
•FEMA and the USACE erected 12 temporary classrooms to support five damaged or destroyed schools. These high tech structures are designed to withstand winds of up to 140 mph.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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| OAKLAND, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal Fire Assistance Management Grant (FMAG) funding to help the state of California fight the Comanche Fire in Kern County.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.
At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 650 homes in and around the City of Stallion Springs. The fire was also threatening an oil pipeline and power lines in the area. The fire started on September 10, 2011, and had burned in excess of 22,330 acres of state and private land.
FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward said, "We are committed to our state and local fires to bring the resources available through the FMAG program to battle this wildfire."
The President's Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible firefighting costs covered by the grant must meet a minimum threshold for costs before delivery of assistance. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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| OAKLAND, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal Fire Assistance Management Grant (FMAG) funding to help the state of California fight the Keene Fire in Kern County.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.
At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 250 homes in and around the Bear Valley, Golden Hills, Hart Flats, and Keene communities. The fire was also threatening buildings, equipment, infrastructure, utilities, and a watershed in the area. Voluntary evacuations were taking place for approximately 16,500 people. The fire started on September 10, 2011, and had burned in excess of 25,000 acres of state and private land.
"FEMA will continue to support our state and local partners during this time of continued heightened fire hazard," said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.
The President's Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible firefighting costs covered by the grant must meet a minimum threshold for costs before delivery of assistance. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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| OAKLAND, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal Fire Assistance Management Grant (FMAG) funding to help the state of Nevada fight the Holbrook Fire in Douglas County.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.
At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 850 homes in and around Topaz Ranch Estates, Nevada. The fire is also threatening 10 businesses, local and high transmission power lines, a fire station, a community center, the Douglas County watershed and the San Bruze Habitat area. The fire started on September 10, 2011, and had burned in excess of 150 acres of State and private land by the time the federal assistance was authorized.
"With this wildfire threatening homes, and significant community infrastructure, we remain committed to the people of Douglas County," said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward. "FEMA will continue to support our state and local partners during this heightened period risk."
The President's Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible firefighting costs covered by the grant must meet a minimum threshold for costs before delivery of assistance. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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Release Date: August 2, 2011
Release Number: R9-11-009
OAKLAND, Calif. - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has presented preliminary flood risk maps to Hawaii County, Hawaii. The draft maps will help community officials and local residents identify known flood risks and when finalized, will be used for flood insurance, land use and development decisions.
Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States. These maps can help residents make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures.
The preliminary maps serve to revise and update information on the existence and severity of flood hazards in Hawaii County. The revised maps reflect the combined efforts of FEMA, State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawaii County. The maps are available for viewing online at www.r9map.org/hawaii-county/.
Residents and property owners are encouraged to review the proposed flood maps to become informed about local flood risks. Those who believe the proposed flood maps contain errors are able to submit appeals by providing additional scientific or technical information through their community officials to FEMA. Once all appeals and comments are resolved, FEMA will make any necessary updates and notify communities, insurance companies and residents of the effective date of the final maps.
Floodplain administrators in each community have copies of the maps available for public viewing. It is recommended that all property owners contact their insurance agent or company to ensure that they have adequate coverage and that policies take into account new flood risk information prior to the flood maps becoming effective. Information can also be found at www.fema.gov, or www.floodsmart.gov.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. | |
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