Highlights
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is the government's disaster relief agency, charged primarily with responding to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and acts of terrorism. Based in Washington, D.C., with offices around the country, FEMA has more than 2,600 full-time employees with another 4,000 on standby to respond to disasters.
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes,...
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes,...
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is the government's disaster relief agency, charged primarily with responding to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and acts of terrorism. Based in Washington, D.C., with offices around the country, FEMA has more than 2,600 full-time employees with another 4,000 on standby to respond to disasters.
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes, FEMA provides financial assistance and supplies for recovery and rebuilding. Under its public assistance program, FEMA reimburses local and state governments for expenses including overtime for emergency personnel, debris removal and repairs to public utilities. Individual homeowners and renters are also eligible for assistance for uninsured losses. FEMA came under criticism in 2004 in Florida, which was hit by four hurricanes in six weeks. A South Florida Sun-Sentinel investigation found FEMA awarded more than $31 million to residents of Miami-Dade for a hurricane that missed the county. FEMA even paid funeral expenses for deaths unrelated to the storm.
The Sun-Sentinel investigation found the same patterns in disasters across the country with hundreds of millions of dollars intended for disaster victims going to people who suffered no damage. When the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Gulf coast in 2005, FEMA drew widespread criticism for its slow response and massive fraud and waste. In the aftermath of the storm, government investigators found FEMA paid more than $1 billion in fraudulent claims. FEMA's top administrator is R. David Paulison. He was appointed by President George W. Bush and reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. In addition to directing the agency, the Administrator may also be called upon by the President to serve as a member of the Cabinet in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
Their offices are located at 500 C Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20472. Questions can be directed to www.fema.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).
FEMA was created in 1979, combining several agencies with disaster-related responsibilities. It operated as an independent agency until 2003, when it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA provides grants to communities for disaster protection measures. After a disaster strikes, FEMA provides financial assistance and supplies for recovery and rebuilding. Under its public assistance program, FEMA reimburses local and state governments for expenses including overtime for emergency personnel, debris removal and repairs to public utilities. Individual homeowners and renters are also eligible for assistance for uninsured losses. FEMA came under criticism in 2004 in Florida, which was hit by four hurricanes in six weeks. A South Florida Sun-Sentinel investigation found FEMA awarded more than $31 million to residents of Miami-Dade for a hurricane that missed the county. FEMA even paid funeral expenses for deaths unrelated to the storm.
The Sun-Sentinel investigation found the same patterns in disasters across the country with hundreds of millions of dollars intended for disaster victims going to people who suffered no damage. When the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Gulf coast in 2005, FEMA drew widespread criticism for its slow response and massive fraud and waste. In the aftermath of the storm, government investigators found FEMA paid more than $1 billion in fraudulent claims. FEMA's top administrator is R. David Paulison. He was appointed by President George W. Bush and reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. In addition to directing the agency, the Administrator may also be called upon by the President to serve as a member of the Cabinet in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
Their offices are located at 500 C Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20472. Questions can be directed to www.fema.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).
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Forecasters predict near-normal Atlantic hurricane season
Conditions in the atmosphere and the ocean favor a near-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this season, NOAA announced today from Miami at its Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, and home to the Hurricane Research Division....
Tags: Caribbean Sea, Hurricane Andrew (1992), Research, Tropical Storms, Tropical Weather
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Governor McDonnell visits tornado-damaged Pulaski County and Washington County
WDBJ7 ReporterVirginia Governor Bob McDonnell spent the day in southwest Virginia looking at neighborhoods hit hardest by last year's tornadoes and talking with some of the victims. Governor Bob McDonnell spent close to three hours Friday morning in the...Tags: Pulaski County (Virginia), Politics, Natural Disasters, Regional Authority, Bob McDonnell
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FEMA sends Louisa County Schools $3.8 million for earthquake recovery
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency is
giving $3.8 million to the Louisa County School Board to pay for
school construction and other costs related to damage caused by an
earthquake last year.
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Jim... -
FEMA to help rebuild Louisa County High School
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $19 million to help rebuild Louisa County High School, which was damaged during the Aug. 23 earthquake. A news release from Gov. Bob McDonnell's office Thursday said rebuilding...
Tags: Renovation, Relief and Aid Organizations, Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg, Virginia), Bob McDonnell, Thomas Jefferson
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FEMA OKs earthquake aid for more Virginia localities
Federal officials have approved Gov. Bob McDonnell's request for disaster aid for more localities affected
by the Aug. 23 earthquake and more than 50 aftershocks.
McDonnell said Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved individual...Tags: Natural Disasters, Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg, Virginia), Natural Disasters, Louisa County, Bob McDonnell
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(VIDEO) 2011 hurricane season in 4.5 minutes
Source: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends Wednesday, having produced a total of 19 tropical storms of which 7 became hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. This level of activity matched NOAA’s predictions and continues the trend of...Tags: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Weather, Hurricane Irene (2011), Disasters and Accidents, Tropical Storms
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More than $25.2M in earthquake aid approved for Virginia
More than $25.2 million in federal disaster aid has been approved to help residents, businesses and local governments in Virginia recover from last summer's earthquake.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the total includes individual and public...Tags: Business, Natural Disasters, Business
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Obama rejects Gov. McDonnell's invite to tour quake town
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- President Barack Obama has turned down Gov. Bob McDonnell's request to visit the small town at the epicenter of August's earthquake while he's in Virginia pushing his jobs plan.
McDonnell extended the invitation this week after...Tags: Barack Obama, Politics, Regional Authority, Bob McDonnell, Mergers, Acquisitions and Takeovers
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Gov. McDonnell asks Obama to visit quake epicenter
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is asking President Barack Obama to visit the tiny town at the epicenter of August's earthquake so he can see the damage for himself.
Obama's administration last week turned down Virginia's...Tags: Barack Obama, Politics, Bob McDonnell, Executive Branch, Government
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Six years after Hurricane Katrina, recovery continues on the Mississippi gulf coast
ReporterSix years have passed since Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast of the United States. Since then, many families have picked up the pieces. Some have moved away. And others are still struggling to rebuild their lives. News7 recently visited...Tags: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (2010), Environmental Issues, Hurricane Katrina (2005), Natural Disasters, Disasters
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Sen. Jim Webb asks FEMA to explain aid denial
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Jim Webb wants to know why the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected Virginia's application for disaster aid for earthquake victims in Louisa County.
The Virginia Democrat sent a letter Thursday to FEMA...Tags: Jim Webb, Disasters, Natural Disasters, Louisa County
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UPDATED: Rustburg High School closes early because of potential gas leak
Concerns about a possible gas leak sent students home early from oneCampbell County school Tuesday.
Rustburg High School was evacuated around 11:30 a.m. when someone noticed a strange smell. Firefighters were called in to make sure gas or other...Tags: Health and Safety at Work, Career and Workplace, Disasters and Accidents
May 24, 2012
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Feb 23, 2012
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Dec 29, 2011
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Nov 28, 2011
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Oct 14, 2011
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Oct 11, 2011
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Oct 20, 2011
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Oct 21, 2011
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Sep 20, 2011
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