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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Terrebonne Parish Leaders Want To Crack Down On Owners of Abandoned Sunken Boats
WGNO NEWSNothing would ruin shrimp boat captain, Ellis Lebouef's day more than hitting an abandoned sunken boat. Captain Ellis is concerned about the growing number of abandoned boats left on Bayou Terrebonne. "Especially when you have a wooden boat like this. ... -
ChazFest: "What Jazz Fest Used To Be Like"
WGNO NewsThe 7TH annual ChazFest is back. Vanessa Bolano gives us a look inside what some call the "ultimate locals music festival." Conveniently scheduled between the weekends of Jazz Fest, ChazFest is back. Organizer Alex McMurray says, “It started with...Tags: Music, Arts and Culture, Festive Events, Entertainment
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St. Bernard stash homes come crashing down
WGNO NewsSt Bernard Parish is cracking down on drug dealers by obliterating their blighted bases of operation.The sheriff’s office and the parish president are teaming up to fight crime, tearing down abandoned homes where drugs and sometimes weapons are... -
Joe Vitt
WGNO SportsSaints assistant head coach Joe Vitt, who'll be acting head coach during Sean Payton's suspension, answered questions from the media Tuesday. Opening Statement: “I want to share with you some of the things I shared with (Commissioner Roger...Tags: Sports, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
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Comiskey Park Opens Again
WGNO NewsFor the first time since the flood neighbors in Mid-City will get back one of their oldest places to play. The Mayor along with neighborhood children cut the ribbon officially re-opening Comiskey Park. Three years ago a TV production company tried to...Tags: U.S. Cellular Field
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Orleans Parish Sheriff Announces Changes To Inmate Housing
WGNO NewsThere's a major announcement about inmate housing at the Orleans Parish Jail. Sheriff Marlin Gusman said Tuesday he's closing the house of detention and looking ahead to opening a new state of the art intake facility. It's an announcement that was a...Tags: Prisons, Crime, Law and Justice
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Chinese Drywall Settlement Awards Homeowners Hundreds of Millions
It was a win for homeowners in Federal Court Thursday, as Chinese drywall manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin settled for roughly $400 million.
Attorneys say the faulty product added insult to injury after hurricane Katrina. Arnold Levin, who...Tags: Health Insurance Cost
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Gentilly is coming back
The city of New Orleans and the Landreiu administration rolled the dice when they put up over $4 million to purchase the shuttered Gentilly Woods mall. Now the risk is apparently paying off.
It appears Walmart has agreed to build a brand new store...Tags: FBI, College Sports
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News with a View: School Spending
Orleans Parish public schools are in the middle of an ambitious plan to rebuild or renovate school buildings throughout the district. The nearly $2 billion redo is unprecedented in size and scope in U.S. history.
Voters in Cleveland recently approved...Tags: Economy, Business and Finance, Finance
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Irene strengthens into Category 3 hurricane
ReutersHurricane Irene strengthened on Wednesday as it roared up from the Caribbean on a path that prompted residents along the U.S. east coast to prepare for a possible hit over the weekend. Irene regained force as a Category 2 storm, then quickly moved up...Tags: Caribbean Islands, Texas, New York, Hatteras, Disasters and Accidents
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Prepare Now!
WGNO NewsGetting yourself, your home, your car and your boat ready for the storms ahead. Get the essentials ready now: when you are collecting supplies to see you through the storm, make sure there is enough of everything for two weeks. Keep these goods in a...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Pharmaceuticals, Vehicles, Disasters and Accidents, Boats
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After the Storm
WGNO NewsThe hurricane has passed but there is still danger. There may be no more winds or high water, but hazards still abound. A wrong step could be fatal. -------------------- Get Your Re-Entry Information Getting Your Home in Order Restoring Utilities What...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, WGNO, Manufacturing and Engineering, Companies and Corporations, Disasters and Accidents
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