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 provide...
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 provide...
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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Katrina's Unclaimed Dead Entombed
Associated PressAt 9:38 a.m. on Friday, about 200 mourners rang handbells to mark the moment three years ago when New Orleans' levees were breached by high waters from Hurricane Katrina, flooding most of the city and leading to the deaths of about 1,600 people. Eighty-...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Floods, Disasters, Natural Disasters, Tropical Weather
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Weekend Talk Shows
TODAY Good Morning America 7 a.m. KABC 77160 Larry King Live 6 and 9 p.m. CNN 174566, 747301 McLaughlin Group 6:30 p.m. KCET 76653 SUNDAY CBS News Sunday Morning 6 a.m. KCBS 111275 Today 6 a.m. KNBC 79580 Pacesetters 6 a.m. KTLA 51696 Good Morning...Tags: Local Elections, Regional Authority, John McCain, Meet the Press, John A Boehner
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Gulf Coast readies for evacuation
Associated PressWith Tropical Storm Gustav approaching hurricane strength and showing no signs of veering off a track to slam into the Gulf Coast, authorities across the region began laying the groundwork yesterday to get the sick, elderly and poor away from the...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Regional Authority, Floods, Charity, Tropical Storms
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Gulf Coast plans for Gustav's fury
The Associated PressWith Gustav approaching hurricane strength and showing no signs of veering off a track to slam into the Gulf Coast, authorities across the region began laying the groundwork Thursday to get the sick, elderly and poor away from the shoreline. States,...Tags: Natural Resources, Energy Resources, Disasters, Upstream Oil and Gas Activities, Natural Disasters
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A fearful New Orleans prepares for a potential Hurricane Gustav
Los Angeles Times Staff WriterFear and foreboding gripped this still-mending city Thursday as a potential Category 3 hurricane whirled toward the Gulf Coast on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's three-year anniversary. Tropical Storm Gustav, which was lashing Jamaica after Haitian...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Ceremonies, Tropical Storms, Floods, Disasters
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Travel industry gears up for Gustav
From the Associated PressAs Tropical Storm Gustav approaches, the Gulf Coast's tourism industry is gearing up for the key holiday weekend while keeping a wary eye on the storm. Hotels are setting aside rooms for emergency personnel, and Amtrak and Greyhound are altering service....Tags: Transportation, Meteorological Disasters, Tourism and Leisure, Tropical Storms, Air Transportation Industry
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U.S. Rep. John Mica, other leaders talk storm preparation
Sentinel Staff WriterIn response to the massive flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fay, U.S. Rep. John Mica brought together officials from local, state and federal agencies to discuss what can be done to fix the current situation and prevent future flooding. Mica, R-Winter...Tags: Tropical Storms, Floods, Emergency Planning, Water Restrictions, Winter Park
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Flood Plains Maps Revised
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued revised flood plain maps for the town. Town officials said that few changes were made to flood plain boundaries, but that property owners who want to see whether they are affected should visit www.msc....Tags: Floods
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FBI probes FEMA-phone hacking
The FBI said Tuesday that it is investigating more than $12,000 in calls to the Middle East and Asia made when a hacker broke into the Federal Emergency Management Agency's phone system 10 days ago. The hacker made more than 400 calls on a FEMA voice-mail...Tags: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Computer Crime
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FEMA: No aid for Ill. victims of March floods
Illinois' appeal for relief from the U.S. government for victims of March flooding in the southern part of the state has fallen short. The Federal Emergency Relief Agency has denied disaster aid to business and homeowners in 15 counties, as it first did...Tags: Local Authority, Floods, Disasters, Government, George Bush
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FEMA approves $15.4 million in Ill. flooding aid
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $15.4 million in disaster aid to help Illinois residents and businesses recover from this summer's flooding. Federal officials on Wednesday said about 3,300 homeowners and renters from the...Tags: Floods, Rentals, Disasters, Condos and Houses
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Fema Extends Deadline For Relocation
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it's extending to March 1st relocation assistance for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The program was set to expire Friday, the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Jim Stark, with FEMA's Gulf...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Ceremonies, Migration, Hurricanes, Disasters
Aug 30, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Aug 30, 2008
|Story| Los Angeles Times
Aug 29, 2008
|Story| Baltimore Sun
Aug 29, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Aug 29, 2008
|Story| Los Angeles Times
Aug 29, 2008
|Story| Los Angeles Times
Aug 29, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Aug 27, 2008
|Story| Hartford Courant
Aug 27, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Aug 25, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Aug 27, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Aug 25, 2008
|Story| WGNO-TV
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