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Category Archives: Disaster

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National Preparedness Month couldn’t be more relevant

September 12, 2018

Forecasters predict that Hurricane Florence will aim its “potential for unbelievable damage” at the Carolinas and Virginia and will not have a significant impact on the New York area.

Beware! It’s peak hurricane season and this is not a time for complacency. We may see fewer hurricanes this year, but scientists conclude that hurricanes are getting wetter and slower.

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New “reduce your risk” tools

November 27, 2014

New York City’s dense population and geographic location make it especially vulnerable to emergencies caused by natural and man-made hazards. While it is important for you to protect yourself and your families from emergencies, it is also important to protect your property. The hazards faced by Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester residents are similar, with some exceptions (e.g., Westchester planners are concerned with an Indian Point event).

The New York City Emergency Management Department, in partnership with the New York City Department of City Planning and the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency, is pleased to announce the launch of NYC’s Risk Landscape: A Guide to Hazard Mitigation. Based on the FEMA-approved and locally adopted 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan, NYC’s Risk Landscape focuses on a targeted group of hazards that pose a risk to the city, and includes information on how the City approaches risk management in a user-friendly and accessible format.  Additionally, the guide includes informative maps, infographics, and images to help New Yorkers gain a deeper understanding of specific hazards as well as best practices in risk reduction.  Hazards addressed in this guide include coastal erosion, coastal storms, earthquakes, extreme heat, flooding, pandemic influenza, strong windstorms, water shortage, and winter weather.

For more information, please visit nyc.gov/hazardmitigation or click here for the guide. Click for specific guidance for Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties and for New York State.

For more information about how to Reduce Your Risk, please visitnyc.gov/reduceyourrisk or click here for the Ready New York: Reduce Your Risk brochure.

 

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Webinar: Emergency Preparedness Resources for Houses of Worship

August 06, 2014

The Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships
the Small Business Administration Center for Faith-based & Community Initiatives
(Both Centers of the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships)
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency

invite you to join us for:

A Webinar on Emergency Preparedness Tools & Resources for Houses of Worship and Community Organizations

WEBINAR

________________

 

Learn more about tools, resources and partnerships strategies to help faith-based and community organizations prepare for emergencies!

 WEBINAR DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this webinar is to provide participants with information on emergency preparedness tools, resources and engagement strategies that are available to faith-based and community leaders and emergency managers. Presentations will explain how faith-based and community-based organizations can engage in National Preparedness Month 2014 and National PrepareAthon Day! activities. The presentations will also highlight engagement best practices at the state and local level between faith-based and community leaders and emergency managers to prepare faith and community-based organizations and the larger community.WHO SHOULD JOIN THE WEBINAR? This webinar is for anyone interested in learning more about resources to help faith-based and community-based organizations get prepared for emergencies and help their communities to do the same.

WHEN IS THE WEBINAR? 

August 19, 2014
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

HOW DO I JOIN THE WEBINAR?

Adobe Connect Web Link: https://icpd.adobeconnect.com/faithtoolsa/event/registration.html

Please sign in as a guest.  Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection prior to the meeting by clicking here.

PRESENTERS. Representatives from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department’s Office of Emergency Management will present.  The Small Business Administration Center for Faith-based & Community Initiatives and Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, will also provide remarks in support of houses of worship and community organizations engaging in preparedness activities.
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Resources to prepare your organization’s technology for a disaster

July 23, 2014

Tech Soup is a respected and valuable technology resource for nonprofits (If you don’t know about their deeply-discounted software, you should). They recently published an excellent disaster planning guide:  The Resilient Organization. Find their links to the new guide and related webinars below.

Disaster preparedness isn’t just about being ready for a fire or earthquake; it’s a nimble, flexible approach to your organization’s day-to-day programs and operations. A natural disaster may never hit your office, but by adopting certain technologies and strategies, you can deepen your nonprofit’s impact and make your work faster and more efficient. The resources in this toolkit will not only prepare you for a crisis, but also deepen the impact of your nonprofit or charity in times of health.

The Resilient Organization is a holistic guide to disaster planning and recovery. This book is intended both for organizations striving to be better prepared for an emergency and for organizations striving to rebuild and maintain operations after a disaster. Download The Resilient Organization and browse other disaster planning and recovery resources below. The book comes in four formats:

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Entertaining Disaster Preparedness 101 videos

February 05, 2013

MetroKC“A Tale of Disaster and Preparedness,” the fun and informative video series created by the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee of Greater Kansas City, won first place in the Public Awareness Award of the IAEM. The episodes are 2-3 minutes each, with a lot of good information. View the entire video series on  YouTube.

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Disaster mental health guidance

November 01, 2012

Our friend Ali Gheith, MS, CEM, (Coordinator of Population Based Resilience at the Office of Mental Health Disaster Preparedness & Response, NYC Dept. Of Health And Mental Hygiene) sent us these helpful tip sheets:

Please help communicate the information provided in these sheets to the people you are serving. One additional tip:

Don’t forget to take care of yourselves. These are stressful times and we have lots of people depending on us. We won’t be any good to them if we aren’t functioning at a high level.

For additional information contact Ali at agheith@health.nyc.gov.

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Federal Aid Programs for State of New York Disaster Recovery

October 30, 2012
OCTOBER 30, 2012
Release Number:
HQ-12-123Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for New York.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

  • Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters.  Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.   (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
  • Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.  (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
  • Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.  Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.  (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact.  This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
  • Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.

Assistance for the State and Affected Tribal and Local Governments Can Include as Required: (JCRC comment: probably available to some nonprofits)

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Those in the county designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice.  Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
  • Application procedures for local and state governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved mitigation projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

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President designates NY major disaster area

October 30, 2012

The costs associated with Sandy will run into the billions.As we assess the damage from the storm it is reassuring to know that help is on the way.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of New York and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy beginning on October 27, 2012, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals and some organizations in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Suffolk, and Queens counties. If your county is not listed, don’t give up hope. Sometimes the disaster declaration is expanded. As we receive more information we’ll send it out.

As the result of the designation, individuals residing in the designated counties can qualify for assistance that can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured or underinsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Governments and some nonprofits can receive partial reimbursement for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Sandy.

The federal assistance is for the reimbursement of covered and documented expenses. You don’t have to wait to begin your repairs, just document the damage (pictures are helpful) keep a careful record of your outlays (e.g.,  staff time, contractors, equipment, purchases, etc.).

If you think that you, your business or your organization are eligible, begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  Remember, FEMA aid is for uninsured and underinsured expenses. Start the recovery process by contacting your insurance carrier.

JCRC-NY worked closely with FEMA during last year’s blizzard and Irene. We will be getting out information and coordinating with leaders in the most-affected communities to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

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It’s gonna get a whole lot worse before it gets better: Sandy Expected to Bring Life-Threatening Storm Surge, Coastal Hurricane Winds

October 29, 2012

A very large and dangerous Hurricane Sandy is expected to make landfall along the central N.J. coast later this evening or tonight, bringing high winds and storm surges. The National Weather Service notes that current conditions will allow Sandy to maintain or increase in intensity (it has already surpassed the previous record holder — the infamous “Long Island Clipper” of 1938), with winds. from the east at 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph.

Higher gusts up to 85 mph possible along south facing shorelines. Strongest winds are expected this afternoon and evening. Many areas are already flooded hour before landfall and a 6-11 foot storm surge is possible. The highest storm surge is predicted for the Long Island Sound and Raritan Bay. Areas of concern include:

  • City Island: 11-13 feet
  • Locust Point: 11-13 feet
  • Coney Island / Rockaways: 9-10 feet
  • South Beach to Oakwood Beach (SI): 11-12 feet
  • At the Battery, high tide of 11-12 feet may occur Monday evening

The National Weather Service advises that surge may not be timed with high tide. Peak surge will occur when the storm’s center passes south of NYC. Water will be elevated for a prolonged period of time, possibly up to 24 hours, and return to normal levels Tuesday or Tuesday night.

Power outages could be widespread (already tens of thousands of homes in New Jersey and on Long Island are without power) and last at least several days. Debris will block some roads. Homes may have damage to shingles, siding, gutters and windows –especially if these items are not properly secured.  Loose outdoor items will become  airborne, causing additional damage and possible injury. Windows in high rise buildings could be broken by flying debris.

UPDATE – REGIONAL TRAFFIC – 1400 HOURS

Read More It’s gonna get a whole lot worse before it gets better: Sandy Expected to Bring Life-Threatening Storm Surge, Coastal Hurricane Winds

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