The Sellersburg Indiana Disaster Recovery Center is going to close in one week. This announcement was made by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency together with IDHS, the Indiana Homeland Security Department. The date for the closing of the center is April 13, so there is not much time left for homeowners affected by the tornadoes and other severe weather to have meetings face to face with experts who can assist with information about how the recovery process works. The center, which is located at Ivy Tech College, I-65 and Hwy 311(I-65 exit 9), operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through...

Federal Emergency Management Agency Mitigation specialists will be offering free information and answering questions about rebuilding for survivors of the recent tornadoes and storms throughout the counties designated for federal disaster assistance. The FEMA teams will be at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Campbell, Johnson and Laurel counties, at Brown Home Center in Menifee County and at Beaver Dam Building Supply in Ohio County. The teams will be at the stores Wednesday, March 21 through Tuesday, March 27 at most locations. Representatives will answer questions about protecting homes from...

Space Bags are renowned for their ability to compress household items such as linens, clothing, outdoor gear, and much more to one-fourth of the size. But what does this product, commonly found at retailers like Wal-Mart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target have a use for at an emergency preparedness and disaster recovery store? “After brainstorming on resourceful, cost effective products, we came up with Space Bags,” says Mike Fisher, General Manager, “Most people think of them for space-saving, but they do more than just that.” Fisher explained that outside of clutter reduction, Space Bags can...

Madagascar was struck by a category four cyclone on Tuesday, February 14, with sustained heavy winds reaching more than 140 miles per hour and torrential rains. The movement of Cyclone Giovanna has been monitored by the organization ShelterBox, which mobilized a response team that is expected to arrive on the island on February 17 to assess the need for emergency aid. The ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) will meet with the national disaster relief agency, the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), to discuss the latest on the ground, as well as logistics for the needs assessment. This...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a statement on myths and facts about flood insurance. Despite the fact that having flood insurance is a requirement for homes located within designated high-risk areas, many homeowners are not aware that a significant percentage of NFIP claims that are filed are from people living outside of high-risk areas, as many as 25 percent. Residential and commercial property owners who are not located in high-risk areas should ask their agents if they are eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy, which provides affordable flood insurance protection, starting as...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Utah to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe storm during the period of November 30 to December 1, 2011. The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm in Davis County. The Salt Lake Tribune...