Storms,tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, fires and more scar parts of the United States from Hawaii to Maine. The death toll from just Wednesday’s storm topped 300 across 7 states.
The National Weather Service predicts fires will continue in the southwest. Fierce thunderstorms are expected today in parts of the north and in South Florida. Storms remain on the radar tomorrow stretching from eastern Texas to Lake Michigan, plus South Florida. Blizzard warnings were issued in the Midwest, while tornado, thunderstorm and flashflood warnings hold along the Gulf.
The best defense against disaster, says FEMA (the U.S. emergency management agency), is preparedness: Have a plan and readily accessible emergency supplies. Make sure the family knows what to do whether together or separated. Keep abreast of emergency news, learn official emergency ratings, and evacuate the area when advised.
It seems sound advice in light of the federal government declaring 20 major disasters this year, including Alabama on Wednesday. Four emergencies were declared along with that, and 43 fires required federal management assistance (with Texas and Oklahoma hit hardest).
Rivers swelled over dams and broke through levees freeing water to spread over lowlands as storms repeatedly exceeded the imagination of those who built the nation’s aging infrastructure. FEMA advises people, when faced with flooding, not to drive or walk through floodwaters. Even in the Delaware Valley, just turn around and find another route because flooded areas are almost always more dangerous than they appear and drowning is the number 1 cause of flood deaths.
Emergency operations were quickly deployed for the present disasters. FEMA has personnel on the ground in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee to assist first responders and recovery efforts from devastating weeks of high winds, hail, tornadoes, and servere thunderstorms.
A range of federal grants and loans, as well as free services, become available based on the disaster level. Property lost over the last few days, for example, in Alabama, if not covered by insurance and charitable aid, may be covered up to 75% of eligible costs by FEMA with the state picking up the remaining amount.
Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available up to $200,000 for a primary residence, $40,000 for personal property (renters included), and up to $2 million for any portion of business property not compensated by insurance.
Land and aqua-farmers and ranchers many receive loans up to $500,000. Federal funds covering at least 75% of damaged state and local government property are likewise available.
More than $2.8 million in federal and state grants were approved for North Carolina’s victims of the storms and tornadoes on April 16. By Wednesday of this week, 4,700 people registered for assistance with FEMA, that agency inspected 2,100 damaged homes, 2,600 loan packages were issued by the SBA, and 11 recovery centers were opened in the state, which 1,100 residents put to good use.
Major disaster assistance often includes free legal services; crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; tax assistance; and assistance with unemployment, social security and veterans benefits.
While pursuing recovery, people need to be cautious. FEMA reported disaster-related fraud in North Carolina. The agency warns consumers to remain on alert and never pay a fee for disaster relief of any kind. Also check for government photo IDs prior to releasing any personal information. Check contractor credentials and business records through the state attorney general’s office and the local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce before spending money or signing a contract. And, check with FEMA for more tips about contracts and payment.
All individuals needing federal disaster assistance can visit www.disasterassistance.gov online or access the web by mobile phone or smartphone at m.fema.gov and link to “apply online for federal assistance.” Calling is another alternative; call 800.621.3362 or (TTY) 800.462.7585.
SBA support is accessible online at www.sba.gov under “Disaster Loans” or by e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.org. Or, call either 800.659.2955 or (TTY) 800.877.8339.
How can people help?
The federal government rarely responds to disasters alone. They coordinate efforts with state agencies and designated charitable groups.
The Salvation Army mobilized 10 feeding units and a communication unit in Alabama and Mississippi, plus additional units in Tennessee. Twenty-two mobile feeding units on standby, including a 20,000 meal per day full service field kitchen, are being deployed as needed.
To donate to relief efforts by the Salvation Army, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org, call 800.725.2769 and designate “April 2011 Tornado Outbreak,” or simply text “GIVE” to 80888.
The American Red Cross is another early responder. On Tuesday, the organization reported more than 3,000 overnight stays in nearly 50 shelters during the past two weeks. It served more than 233,000 meals and snacks and distributed more than 20,000 items, such as clean-up and comfort kits. Since then, storms and tornadoes have mounted in the South. The response by the Red Cross increased accordingly.
Philadelphia’s local Red Cross Chapter is contributing to relief efforts. Director of Communications Dave Schrader and volunteer Joe Cirullo were dispatched to North Carolina last week for a report.
“The most heart wrenching moment of my visit came at Micro, NC. So much damage,” Schrader relayed. “We saw an entire mobile home park destroyed. Dozens of homes were just piles of wood. I saw sinks and couches and basketball nets everywhere. The Red Cross came by with food and drinks to give to residents who had returned hoping to find a few items and to some whose homes are still livable.”
To learn if loved ones are safe and well in disaster areas or to register oneself, click here for the Red Cross Safe and Well site.
There are three ways to support the Red Cross effort: call 215.299.4000, text “REDCROSS” to 90999 for a $10 donation, or visit www.redcrossphilly.org.
Standing amidst the wreckage in Tuscaloosa, AL, President Barack Obama pledged to do everything possible to rebuild that which nature destroyed. He has since declared Mississippi and Georgia disaster areas, making them eligible for federal assistance.
Obama shared this sentiment in an earlier statement: “Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives because of the tornadoes that have swept through Alabama and the southeastern United States. Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this devastation, and we commend the heroic efforts of those who have been working tirelessly to respond to this disaster.”
All rights to article are reserved by Gloria Blakely. Copyright 2011.
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