Fort Worth shelter provision to inflate school building cost

The cost to build new schools in at least one Texas city could rise as much as 30 percent as officials look to comply with new building codes requiring storm shelters. Fort Worth leaders are expected to adopt an updated code based in part on Federal Emergency Management Agency recommendations that new schools with at least 50 students have a designated shelter.

FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle Kentucky Wildfires

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Kentucky to fight the Southeastern Kentucky Fire Complex burning in Harlan, Knox, Letcher, and Pike counties. This authorization makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

FEMA authorizes federal funds to help battle NC wildfires

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday that FEMA has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to North Carolina to battle the Chestnut Knob Fire burning in Burke County. According to the release, the authorization makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse up 75% of firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

FEMA Letter Latest Setback For Homeowners With Failing Foundations

In the latest roadblock for homeowners with failing foundations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Gov. Dannel P. Malloy 's request for assistance, for a second time. In a Nov. 8 letter, FEMA administrator Craig Fugate said the agency could not provide funding or open a field office in north central Connecticut, as Malloy had requested for homeowners, but will make a senior liaison available to facilitate the state's options with other federal agencies.

Hurricane disaster assistance town hall Nov. 9; Veterans Day memorial Nov. 11

Hampton County residents are invited to a disaster assistance town hall meeting this Wednesday night at the Hampton County Recreation Department. Representatives from the State of South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other public and private agencies will be present to answer questions, to explain disaster assistance programs and to help residents with applications for aid.

Livingston assessor finds half of buildings in parish flooded in August, but believes more out there

Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor says his office so far has found 45 percent of the parish's homes and businesses flooded in August, a figure much lower than the initial 80 percent estimate. Nevertheless, Taylor and other officials believe there may be more flood-damaged buildings among the 51,700 structures in the parish.

Effingham hastens storm cleanup

Taking advantage of federal and state funds, Effingham County commissioners agreed Monday to hire debris removal and monitoring companies to clean up after Hurricane Matthew. Clint Hodges, the director of the county's Emergency Management Agency, said the county will be reimbursed more funding if it cleans up the debris quickly - up to 85 percent of the cleanup cost by FEMA and 13 percent by the state.

Des Plaines flood buyouts finally move forward

Des Plaines officials say government buyouts of seven flood-prone homes near the Des Plaines River finally will proceed, after more than a year in limbo due to the state budget stalemate. The seven homeowners were among the first in town to seek voluntary federal government buyouts after floodwaters ravished their properties in 2008 and 2013.

Road to recovery could test patience of Matthew victims

Tiajuana Williams lives in a one-story apartment building in Princeville, North Carolina, that was flooded by a river bulging with rainwater from Hurricane Matthew. Before driving out of town in her Honda Civic ahead of the storm, she hurriedly packed a small bag with little more than a change of clothes.

Many Hurricane Matthew victims don’t have flood insurance

Coker runs Genung's Fish Camp and Marina on the shore of the Matanzas River, and saw storm surge from Hurrica... POOLER, Ga. - Waist-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew coursed down the street in Pooler and seeped under Lori Galemore's doors, swamping the carpets and furniture as she and her three sons retreated upstairs, where they stayed until firefighters arrived by boat.

President Obama Signs Florida Disaster Declaration

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Matthew beginning October 3, 2016, and continuing. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties of Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia.

President Obama Signs Georgia Disaster Declaration

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Georgia and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Matthew beginning October 4, 2016, and continuing. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh.

FEMA Urges Residents in Affected States to Continue to Take Hurricane …

The Federal Emergency Management Agency urges residents to be prepared for severe, potentially record historic flooding as Hurricane Matthew continues to impact the eastern Carolinas. Hurricane Matthew remains a dangerous storm and FEMA urges residents in affected states to heed instructions from state, local, and tribal officials.