FEMA News

FEMA Chief Long to Keep Job, Repay Government for Car Misuse

The head of the federal disaster response agency used government vehicles without proper authorization, but will not lose his job over it, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Friday. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator William “Brock” Long had been under …

Feds Say Maryland Man Stole Hurricane Victim’s IDs as Part of $8M Scam

A Maryland man is accused of stealing hurricane victim’s identities as part what the Secret Service describes as an $8 million effort to scam a Federal Emergency Management Agency program. News outlets reported Tuesday that 30-year-old Tare Stanley Okirika is …

Vermont Residents Learn More About River Regulations for Flooding

The Norwich Planning Commission in Vermont says it is gathering information on implementing proposed river corridor regulations. The commission and municipal Planning Director Rod Francis met last Thursday with about 15 town residents to discuss adopting language recommended in the …

As Hurricane Lane Neared Hawaii FEMA Promises to Do Better

As a Category 4 hurricane roared toward Hawaii, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it’s learned the lessons of last year’s devastation of Puerto Rico and is vowing a better response. Calling 2017 “historic,” Jeff Byard, FEMA’s associate administrator for …

Federal Government Will Shrink California Beach City’s Flood Zone

A report says a Southern California beach city has persuaded federal officials to exclude about 2,700 coastal properties from updated flood maps, saving homeowners thousands in insurance costs. The Los Angeles Times reported that as a result, homeowners in parts …

Appeals Court Rejects $586M FEMA Fix for Louisiana Barrier Islands

A federal appeals court has rejected Louisiana’s contention that the federal government should pay $586 million to restore barrier islands and wetlands damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld decisions by …

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 …