FEMA News

Federal Disaster Mitigation Saves $6 for Every $1 Spent: Report

Federal programs to protect Americans against extreme weather and other natural disasters save even more money than previously thought, according to a report funded by the same agencies that have proposed cutting many of those programs. The report, released Thursday …

Disasters Affected 8% of U.S. Population in 2017, FEMA Notes in Review of Historic Year

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supported 59 major disaster declarations and 16 emergency declarations in 2017, a year during which unprecedented disasters affected more than 25 million Americans, almost eight percent of the U.S. population. In its year-end review, …

FEMA OKs Disaster Declaration for California

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has made federal disaster assistance available to California to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from Dec. 4, 2017 and continuing. Federal funding is available to state and …

Special Reuters Report: The High Cost of Building in High Flood Risk Areas

When Hurricane Harvey sent two feet of water rolling into this small community about 35 miles north of Houston, Alfredo Becerra had to flee his modest 1,500-square-foot house. Muddy floodwater submerged the furniture and ruined carpet inside the construction worker’s …

Poll: Many Harvey Victims Say They Still Need Help

More than three months after Hurricane Harvey walloped Texas, many affected residents say they’re still not getting help they need and President Donald Trump is getting low marks for his handling of the disaster, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation/Episcopal …

Iowa Officials Seek Federal Approval of Levee Repair Plan

Officials in western Iowa are worried that $50 million in levee repairs won’t be completed quickly enough to avoid having an area deemed a flood zone, which would require costly insurance coverage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to …

City in Oregon Suing Over Restrictive Flood Map Recommendations

The city of Coos Bay, Ore. has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the National Marine Fisheries Service over its recommendation for more restrictive floodplain regulations, which would restrict development in most of downtown. The World reported the suit …

U.S. Flood Insurance Program Expects $11B in Texas Flood Payouts

U.S. officials estimate the FEMA-run National Flood Insurance Program will make $11 billion in payments for flooding in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey, the program’s administrator Roy Wright said. Additionally, in an attempt to make those payments more quickly, homeowners …

Louisianans Again Given More Time to Submit Flood Insurance Form

Louisiana residents who had damage from last summer’s widespread flooding have more time to submit the proof of loss form required for a flood insurance claim. The deadline’s been extended until the end of the year. FEMA says more than …

Fire Management Assistance Granted for California’s Pier Fire

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to assist California in fighting the Pier Fire burning in Tulare County. The state submitted a request for a fire management assistance for the Pier Fire on Sept. …