Fema

Press Release August 1st, 2007 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed today that it has temporarily suspended the deployment and sales of travel trailers used in emergency housing while the agency works with health and environmental experts to assess health-related concerns raised by occupants. Industrial hygienists, epidemiologists, medical toxicologists and environmental health scientists from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and Homeland Security's Office of Health Affairs are in Louisiana and Mississippi to gather data and review measurements that consider relative humidity, trailer design and usage.

Press Release June 30th, 2007 WICHITA , Kan. - Kansas residents who suffered damage as a result of the tornadoes, severe storms and flooding from May 4-18 will now have more time to apply for federal disaster assistance. Following a request by Governor Kathleen Sebelius, officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) extended the individual assistance application deadline to August 4, 2007. "We were very near the July 5 deadline," said Michael L. Karl, federal coordinating officer in charge of Kansas disaster recovery operations, "But we were still getting applications from individuals affected by the disaster so we extended the deadline.

  Press Release U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse funds used for debris removal and emergency protective measures at 100 percent of the total eligible costs incurred for a period of up to 72 hours in counties declared Federal Disaster Areas following the May 4 storms. FEMA usually reimburses expenses up to 75 percent. This announcement follows a letter the entire Kansas congressional delegation sent to the President in May calling for 100 percent reimbursement of costs to residents of counties declared Federal Disaster Areas.

Because their families can't live without food, The United Methodist Open Door Ministry is Debra Collins and Tina Steward's lifeline. "I wouldn't have any food if it wasn't for the food bank," Collins says. "I'm searching for a job right now," Steward says.  "I'm a single mom with two children and I don't receive child support. " Every day the lobby at Open Door's food center is packed with hungry people trying to survive the bad economy.  But next year there will be less food to go around.  FEMA is cutting off nearly all Kansas charities from direct emergency food and shelter assistance--assistance they have been receiving every year for decades.

Four million dollars bring safe rooms to Kansas schools, protecting students from dangerous weather and tornadoes. The month is coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The school districts that will receive funds for tornado safe rooms are:  El Dorado/Butler County Community College  Unified School District 402 (Augusta)  Unified School District 473 (Chapman)  Unified School District 609 (Southeast Kansas Education Service)

by Denise Hnytka It's been two weeks since a tornado devastated people in Chapman. And now, it's what some call another blow. People there don't qualify for individual help from FEMA. That leaves questions for people whose insurance may not cover all of their losses. The storm chose homes at random. It ripped some apart while barely scraping past the one next door. The writing is on the wall for some. But the Pfannenstiel's say they're lucky. Only 20 percent of their home is damaged.

Confusion may be the best way to explain it.     Last year Mulvane passed a $12.5 million bond issue to focus on safety and security. The concern started after a post on Facebook that said money for a FEMA approved storm shelter was taken out of the budget. “I did see it on Facebook,” says parent Samatha Saville. “I heard the rumor about storm shelters on Facebook yesterday,” says parent Tina Faught. The post raised concerns about the district possibly scrapping plans to build a FEMA approved storm shelter.  Now the district is explaining exactly what students at Munson Primary School in Mulvane will have by the time they return next fall.

Press Release July 14th, 2007 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the  registration deadline for individuals and businesses to register for federal disaster assistance is August 6, 2007 . This deadline is applicable to individuals living in any of the 21 federally declared counties with damage resulting from the storms of May 4-June 1 . These counties include: Barton, Clay, Cloud, Comanche, Dickinson,...

Press Release July 7th, 2007 DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS OPEN IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS WICHITA , Kan. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) announce the opening tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday of two additional Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Elk and Neosho counties. These DRCs will serve those affected by the flooding beginning June 26. The DRC in Elk County will open Sunday, July 8 at 1 p.m. and the DRC in Neosho County will open at 1 p.m. Monday, July 9. Opening day hours for both DRCs will be from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. (Elk County DRC opens Sunday, July 8 and Neosho County DRC opens Monday, July 9. After the first day of operation each DRC will remain open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

When 57-year old Denise Davis moved into her home four years ago, she could afford the up-keep. Then FEMA suddenly raised her flood insurance. "I can't afford to make improvements and it's really sad to watch this house go down and to see the neighbors sell their house because they are so frustrated with it," Davis said. Neighbors like Paul Desautel, he says he can't keep up with the rising flood insurance either and recently put his house on the market. "The area doesn't flood, hasn't ever flooded, and that's why we have that big ditch over there for all the water to go in to begin with," Desautel said.

Confusion may be the best way to explain it.     Last year Mulvane passed a $12.5 million bond issue to focus on safety and security. The concern started after a post on Facebook that said money for a FEMA approved storm shelter was taken out of the budget. “I did see it on Facebook,” says parent Samatha Saville. “I heard the rumor about storm shelters on Facebook yesterday,” says parent Tina Faught. The post raised concerns about the district possibly scrapping plans to build a FEMA approved storm shelter.  Now the district is explaining exactly what students at Munson Primary School in Mulvane will have by the time they return next fall.

When 57-year old Denise Davis moved into her home four years ago, she could afford the up-keep. Then FEMA suddenly raised her flood insurance. "I can't afford to make improvements and it's really sad to watch this house go down and to see the neighbors sell their house because they are so frustrated with it," Davis said. Neighbors like Paul Desautel, he says he can't keep up with the rising flood insurance either and recently put his house on the market. "The area doesn't flood, hasn't ever flooded, and that's why we have that big ditch over there for all the water to go in to begin with," Desautel said.

Because their families can't live without food, The United Methodist Open Door Ministry is Debra Collins and Tina Steward's lifeline. "I wouldn't have any food if it wasn't for the food bank," Collins says. "I'm searching for a job right now," Steward says.  "I'm a single mom with two children and I don't receive child support. " Every day the lobby at Open Door's food center is packed with hungry people trying to survive the bad economy.  But next year there will be less food to go around.  FEMA is cutting off nearly all Kansas charities from direct emergency food and shelter assistance--assistance they have been receiving every year for decades.

Four million dollars bring safe rooms to Kansas schools, protecting students from dangerous weather and tornadoes. The month is coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The school districts that will receive funds for tornado safe rooms are:  El Dorado/Butler County Community College  Unified School District 402 (Augusta)  Unified School District 473 (Chapman)  Unified School District 609 (Southeast Kansas Education Service)

Disaster relief officials in Tuscaloosa Alabama and Joplin Missouri say their store rooms are brimming with “junk” that was sent as well-intentioned donations. People have sent unsolicited items such as diapers, “slightly used” clothing, food, toys, and used furniture. Officials say these items create a logistical nightmare for local relief officials already struggling to deal with the disaster itself. Storage space and volunteer time must be diverted to manage the flow of donations.

The FEMA/state of Kansas Processing Center in Salina is closed after processing reimbursements for projects for repairs of damage from severe weather from June 7th-July 21st, 2010. The disaster resulted in more than 500 projects totaling $8.7 million in reimbursements so far. This will be the first time there has not been a Joint Field Office open in Kansas from a disaster since before the 2007 Greensburg tornado. Earlier in November the Joint Field Office in Topeka was closed.

The Youthville Organization opens a new building at the Dodge City Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility. During a ceremony Friday, the non-profit marked the completion of its "fulfilling dreams" campaign. The $1.5 million building project includes a centralized kitchen and dining space, a FEMA storm shelter along with classrooms and offices. Contributions include more than $1.4 million given by people, churches, corporations and organizations, mostly in western Kansas. The Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility is for children ages six to 18. Youthville is one of the largest child welfare agencies in Kansas and works on issues including foster care, adoption and counseling.

SALINA, Kan. (AP) - Salina city officials are considering appealing new federal maps that would put 1,200 homes in the floodplain. The maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would require 22 percent of Salina property owners to buy flood insurance if the house they own is in the new floodplain. City Planning and Zoning Administrator Dean Andrew says nearly 1,200 homes would be in the flood plain, including between 100 to 500 in areas he says have never flooded.

By Denise Hnytka (BELLE PLAINE, Kan.) The Sumner County Commission calls it 'a problem that's bigger than all of us'. They're responding to a homeowner's concerns about consistent flooding in a neighborhood in Belle Plaine. Ponderosa Estates lies along the Ninnescah River. It overflowed it's banks again last week. Flood waters have forced Bob Kierzek from his home for the last time. "It's done," he said. "I have no place to live. The mold is already growing, and you can't go in there without a mask on. " After three floods in ten years, Kierzek has 11 reasons for going before the Sumner County Commission Monday morning.