Polk County Housing Trust Fund’s Post

State disaster resources are available for households affected by the April 26 storms in Polk County. Please review this press release from the Governor's office: Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for eight additional counties in response to severe weather that occurred on April 26. The governor's proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the following counties: Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union. A disaster proclamation was previously issued for Pottawattamie County on April 26. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at https://lnkd.in/gz8acQMf. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim. The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor's proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.

Data shows hurricanes and earthquakes grab headlines but inland counties top disaster list Floyd County keeps flooding and the federal government keeps coming to the rescue. In July 2022, at least 40 people died and 300 homes were damaged when the eastern Kentucky county flooded. It was the 13th time in 12 years that the rural county was declared a federal disaster. These are disasters so costly that local governments feel they can’t pay for it all, so the governor asks the president to declare a disaster freeing up federal funds. “After that flood I had 500 homeless people looking at me, ‘Judge what are we going to do’?” recalled Judge Robbie Williams, administrator for the county of a bit more than 35,000 people. “It’s overwhelming and it’s just a matter of time before it happens again.” It did. In 2023, Floyd County was declared a disaster again for 14th time, starting in 2011. And Floyd County isn’t even the nation’s most disaster-prone county. Neighboring Johnson County has 15 disasters declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency since 2011. When it comes to extreme weather and other so-called natural disasters, people generally look to the hurricane or earthquake-prone coasts and say that’s where the danger is. But that’s not where the highest concentration of federally declared disasters are, according to an atlas of 713 FEMA declared disasters created by Rebuild by Design and New York University. While most people in disasters think about federal government direct financial help to individual victims to pay for lost housing and businesses, the atlas focuses on the $60 billion pot of FEMA aid to governments. For more on this story/to include an good US graphic: https://lnkd.in/evW4bwxf

 U-Haul® announced it is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents impacted by heavy rains and residential flooding in several cities across Ontario. Major thunderstorms have caused treacherous conditions throughout much of Halton Region and neighboring cities like London, causing many homes to take on water and basements to flood. Access to dry and secure self-storage and portable storage containers is essential for communities during the recovery process. “Due to unusual thunderstorms and heavy rains over the past few days, we know many residents and businesses across Halton Region have experienced significant flooding,” stated Jake Spelic, U-Haul Canada Area District Vice President. “We have seen and heard of flooding in areas across Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Hamilton, and we want to help those in need.” “There’s a large amount of flooding in London and water is getting in people’s basements,” added Dave Anstett, U-Haul Co. of Western Ontario president. “We want to let these families know that we have a program for one month of free storage services when disasters like this happen.” The 30-day free offer applies to new self-storage locker and U-Box rentals and is based on availability. The U-Box offer may include on-site storage at secure U-Haul centers, or residential delivery and pick-up of portable containers. People seeking more details about the U-Haul disaster relief program or needing to arrange storage should call the participating store nearest them: U-Haul Moving & Storage of Bramalea 152 East Dr. Brampton, ON L6T1C1 (905) 790-3897 U-Haul Moving & Storage of Central Burlington 3245-3267 Mainway Burlington, ON L7M1A6 (289) 348-2323 U-Haul Moving & Storage at Barton Street 2275 Barton St. E. Hamilton, ON L8E2W8 (905) 560-3161 U-Haul Moving & Storage of London (U-Box only) 112 Clarke Road London, ON N5W5E1 (519) 452-3390 U-Haul Moving & Storage at Towerline Place 95 Towerline Place London, ON N6E2T3 (519) 685-3600 U-Haul Moving & Storage of Western Fair 745 York St. London, ON N5W2S6 (519) 937-0590 U-Haul Moving & Storage at Milton Crossroads 8000 Lawson Road Milton, ON L9T5C4 (289) 350-1319 U-Haul Moving & Storage of Oakville 478 Woody Road Oakville, ON L6K3T6 (905) 842-3871 U-Haul Moving & Storage of West Oakville 1296 S. Service Road W. Oakville, ON L6L5T7 (289) 243-0072

FEMA and Operation HOPE Partner to Help People Build Financial Resiliency After Disasters Operation HOPE has been a key partner in helping wildfire survivors on Maui, including housing assistance to families in need of emergency housing, engaging thousands of residents through community outreach and various free community disaster recovery events, and collaboration with local organizations, including several Native Hawaiian groups. “Operation HOPE’s mission to expand economic opportunity and promote financial resilience is a critical facet of helping people and communities jumpstart their recoveries. Our partnership has flourished over the past two decades and today’s signing means it will grow even stronger in the coming years,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “I am incredibly proud of the support they have given to wildfire survivors in Maui through the formation of the Coalition of the Willing and their continued efforts to empower communities.” “FEMA is thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Operation HOPE. Signing this agreement represents a critical milestone that ensures our organizations’ focus on what matters most: helping people cope with disaster financial shocks and rebuild their homes and lives. This agreement formalizes our joint commitment to equip individuals and families with the financial tools they need to prepare and recover from disasters,” said FEMA Director of Individual Assistance, Frank Matranga. #fire #disasters #science #management #earth #disasters #naturaldisasters #emergency #flood #climate #climatechange #storm #FEMA #heat #earthquake #elclubdecomerciantes #evideosecurity #hugihernandez #egreenews #inergency #PrepareAthon (used during National PrepareAthon Day) #preparedness #disasterrecovery #emergencyplanning #flooding (or #flood if space is limited) #hurricane #earthquake #wildfire #winterstorm #poweroutage

When it comes to extreme weather and other so-called natural disasters, people generally look to the hurricane or earthquake-prone coasts and say that’s where the danger is. But that’s not where the highest concentration of federally declared disasters are, according to an atlas of 713 FEMA declared disasters created by Rebuild by Design and New York University. While most people in disasters think about federal government direct financial help to individual victims to pay for lost housing and businesses, the atlas focuses on the $60 billion pot of FEMA aid to governments. Eight of the nine counties with the most federal declared disasters since 2011 — more than a dozen each — are in Kentucky, with the one in Vermont. These counties have four to five times the number of disaster as the national average of three in the past 13 years.

In an era where natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, the need for effective disaster preparedness strategies has never been more critical. Checkout this article written by myself and my colleague Laura Katz titled, “Utilizing Prepositioned Contracts as a Disaster Preparedness Strategy”. This article delves into a proactive approach that ensures communities and organizations are equipped to respond swiftly and efficiently when disaster strikes. 🚨 The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be exceptionally active. NOAA forecasts a 70% chance of above-normal hurricane activity, expecting between 18 and 24 named storms, 8 to 13 hurricanes, and 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). Be Prepared Before the Disaster Strikes! #disasterpreparedness #emergencymanagement #disasterrecovery #FEMA #FEMAPublicAssistance #hurricaneseason #disasterconsulting LaToya Johnson, MPA Manager, Government Services 📧 Latoya.johnson@eisneramper.com 📞 225-408-4370

FEMA and Operation HOPE Partner to Help People Build Financial Resiliency After Disasters Operation HOPE has been a key partner in helping wildfire survivors on Maui, including housing assistance to families in need of emergency housing, engaging thousands of residents through community outreach and various free community disaster recovery events, and collaboration with local organizations, including several Native Hawaiian groups. “Operation HOPE’s mission to expand economic opportunity and promote financial resilience is a critical facet of helping people and communities jumpstart their recoveries. Our partnership has flourished over the past two decades and today’s signing means it will grow even stronger in the coming years,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “I am incredibly proud of the support they have given to wildfire survivors in Maui through the formation of the Coalition of the Willing and their continued efforts to empower communities.” “FEMA is thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Operation HOPE. Signing this agreement represents a critical milestone that ensures our organizations’ focus on what matters most: helping people cope with disaster financial shocks and rebuild their homes and lives. This agreement formalizes our joint commitment to equip individuals and families with the financial tools they need to prepare and recover from disasters,” said FEMA Director of Individual Assistance, Frank Matranga. #fire #disasters #science #management #earth #disasters #naturaldisasters #emergency #flood #climate #climatechange #storm #FEMA #heat #earthquake #elclubdecomerciantes #evideosecurity #hugihernandez #egreenews #inergency #PrepareAthon (used during National PrepareAthon Day) #preparedness #disasterrecovery #emergencyplanning #flooding (or #flood if space is limited) #hurricane #earthquake #wildfire #winterstorm #poweroutage

Floyd County keeps flooding and the federal government keeps coming to the rescue. In July 2022, at least 40 people died and 300 homes were damaged when the eastern Kentucky county flooded. It was the 13th time in 12 years that the rural county was declared a federal disaster. And Floyd County isn’t even the nation’s most disaster-prone county. Neighboring Johnson County has 15 disasters declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency since 2011. When it comes to extreme weather and other so-called natural disasters, people generally look to the hurricane or earthquake-prone coasts and say that’s where the danger is. But that’s not where the highest concentration of federally declared disasters are. Read more >> https://lnkd.in/gYXpiarn

Support Available for Flood-Affected Communities in NSW In light of the recent flooding that has impacted several regions in New South Wales, including Blue Mountains, Camden, Hawkesbury, Kiama, Liverpool, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, and Wollongong LGAs, I want to highlight the crucial support measures available for those affected. The Australian and New South Wales Governments are swiftly providing assistance through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Here's what's being offered: ✔️ Funding for Councils: Aid for local councils to cover the costs of cleaning up and restoring essential public assets. ✔️ Immediate Assistance for Residents: Eligible residents can receive support for emergency accommodation, small cash payments, and grants to replace lost essential household items. ✔️ Structural Repairs: Grants are available for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe condition. ✔️ Concessional Loans: Small businesses, primary producers, sports clubs, and non-profit organizations can access concessional interest rate loans to repair or replace damaged property. ✔️ Freight Subsidies: Primary producers can benefit from subsidies to transport livestock and fodder. Acting Federal Minister for Emergency Management Catherine King emphasized the urgency of the situation and assured affected communities of support throughout their recovery process. The NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, expressed gratitude to emergency services and volunteers for their tireless efforts in keeping communities safe. He highlighted the proactive measures being taken to assess the impact of the flooding and unlock necessary assistance. For those seeking assistance or information, Service NSW can be contacted at 13 77 88 or through their website www.nsw.gov.au. To apply for concessional loans or primary producer grants, reach out to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority at 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au. Additionally, further details on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au. DCPM supports councils across Australia via the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to PREPARE for, RESPOND to, and RECOVER from natural disasters. For more info, get in touch. https://lnkd.in/gHkQmxhy

I am lucky enough to live in beautiful Grays Harbor County in Washington State. This county has a high natural disaster risk score of 52%, according to Augurisk, a company that conducts natural disaster risk audits across the country. They note that over the past 20 years, 31 disasters have been declared by the county, most of which related to flood incidents. Its 73% average earthquake risk score is considered severe. Other disasters that could impact the county include severe wind and rainstorms, forest fires, and tsunamis. In the event of a natural disaster, are you ready? Do you have a plan? Planning for an emergency helps keep people safe, limits property damage, supports community preparedness, and helps the community get back up and running after a disaster. In addition, it provides healthcare workers with the knowledge that your family and home will be safe so you can come to work and take care of our patients, who will be counting on you. Is there an emergency kit in your home? In your car? At your workspace? After a major disaster, relief workers will be on the scene, but it may take time for them to arrive at all locations. Families should prepare to take care of all household members for up to three days by making emergency supply kits for home and work, and a “go bag” for the car. All households, regardless of income, should stock an emergency supply kit. It might be easier to make weekly purchases to build the kit. Household emergency supply kits should contain one gallon of drinking water per person per day, for at least three days; and a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person. Kits should also include a battery-powered or hand-crank powered radio or a NOAA weather radio, flashlights, phone chargers, extra batteries, first aid kit, essential medications, paper products, a can opener, and pet food. Consider buying a generator. For car emergency supply kits, begin with evacuation route maps pertaining to your residence, worksite, and other places that you visit often. Add a first aid kit, essential medications, a cell phone charger, drinking water, and non-perishable snacks such as dried fruit and protein bars; blankets or a sleeping bag, a hat, gloves and scarf; jumper cables, a spare tire, flares, a flashlight, a tow rope, an ice scraper, snow brush, and snow shovel; and a bag of sand or kitty litter. For the office, an emergency supply kit should include a first aid kit, essential medications, a change of work clothing; hygiene items such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and cleansing cloths; and protein bars, canned soup, frozen meals, and drinking water. Also include a cell phone charger and any back-up work equipment or personal items needed in case work hours are unexpectedly extended. Being prepared can bring peace of mind and a sense of assuredness. It may also prevent injury and save lives.