Latest news with #OfficeofEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornado watch issued for Baltimore region
The National Weather Service announced Friday that a tornado watch will be in effect in the Baltimore Region until midnight Saturday. 'Know your safe location,' wrote Baltimore City's Office of Emergency Management in the announcement Friday. 'Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued to you or you suspect a tornado is approaching.' In anticipation of the potential stormy weather, the Baltimore Orioles moved their game against the Chicago White Sox to 4:30 p.m., and the city of Annapolis postponed its Pride Parade and Festival. A tornado touched down in Baltimore earlier this month, leaving damaged property and thousands without power in its wake. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FEMA cuts costing central Florida millions in grant money to aid storm survival
The official start of hurricane season is days away, and central Florida counties are set to lose millions of dollars that could have been used for the most vulnerable people. One example is how the Office of Emergency Management in Seminole County requested funds to help people who depend on medical machines survive any storms. But the federal Emergency Management Agency canceled the program the center requested the grant money from. Now if the federal government doesn't cover it, it will fall on the counties or state - and taxpayers - to cover the costs those grant dollars typically would. Seminole County's Office of Emergency Management director, Alan Harris, described those affected as 'our most vulnerable populations.' Seminole County asked FEMA for $300,000 to add a generator to a shelter for those with special needs and those who depend on medical machines that need electricity. Marion County asked for $3.7 million while Sumter County asked for $3 million to improve electrical infrastructure to avoid outages during storms. But now that money won't be coming from FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program. It was canceled in April, as Republicans focus on handling the nation's deficit 'We're going to do everything we can,' said U.S. Sen Rick Scott. 'Now let's realize where our federal government is right now, OK? We are running two trillion-dollar deficits. How many of you want your interest rates to come down? We all do. How many of you want inflation to come down? It will not happen if we don't balance the budget.' U.S. Rep. Cory Mills says he will look for other ways to fund Seminole County's generator. These cuts are happening as FEMA's acting chief says h wants to place responsibility of hurricane recovery on states and local governments, including financial responsibility. 'It's about getting responsiveness. It is about getting funding there quicker,' Mills said. Sumter County's EMA director, David Casto, said the BRIC program could not be the only cuts. There are other grants that fund equipment and supplies that are still uncertain. The state and some local governments are reportedly prepared to dip into their reserves as FEMA tightens its belt even more this hurricane season. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Missouri counties denied state aid for tornado damage
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Mo. — Tornado victims in southwestern Missouri will not get extra help from the state after a cluster of tornadoes hit the area last week. Residents in St. Clair, Henry and Benton counties have learned that they will not be receiving any state assistance in wake of the May 19 tornadoes. It's another setback for communities trying to clean up the mess left behind. The Henry County, Missouri, Office of Emergency Management said the counties will not be able to apply for state funding—for cleanup, repairs or financial help. FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up for daily forecasts and Joe's Weather Blog in your inbox According to emergency management, one of the reasons state assistance was denied is because many of the homes in the counties were 'second homes' – which don't quality to be included in assessments. 'We have been on the phone all morning with area agencies to find more resources, financial aid and labor to help our citizens in our communities recover,' Henry County Emergency Management said on Thursday. 'We are very encouraged with what we have found thus far and will be sharing more information as the day goes on. We are not giving up making sure the citizens of our county to get all the help we can possibly find.' The Iconium Fire Protection District in St. Clair County posted on social media that they are looking for volunteers on Friday and Saturday to help people in the area whose neighborhoods were devastated by last week's tornadoes. 'We need dump trucks, dump trailers and wood chipper operators to grind up and haul off wood chips,' the fire department said. According to the fire department, dozens of branches and trees are piled up in yards in the Fox Run and Richochet Ridge subdivisions off Highway ZZ between Truman Lake and the St. Clair County-Henry County line. 'The Iconium Fire Department will pay to rent a wood chipper,' the fire department said. 'But we need people who can spend a day feeding the chipper and others who can bring trailers and trucks to accept the chips and haul them away, probably to the yard next to our Station 3, about a mile from those subdivisions.' View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 The fire department is asking anyone who has the time or equipment to help to call Fire Chief David Price at 417-309-0078. It estimates the cost will be around $2,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Winnipeg arenas being used for wildfire emergency shelters, reception centres
Century Arena, as seen in this undated photo, will shelter wildfire evacuees. (CTV News Winnipeg) Programming at some Winnipeg recreational facilities is being cancelled as the city chips in to help wildfire evacuees. The city says the Billy Mosienko, Century, and Eric Coy arenas are being used to support the province and Red Cross. 'We know this is a challenging time and we are here to help,' the city said in an emailed statement to CTV News. 'The City of Winnipeg's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is working with our provincial counterparts, and we are exploring all options on how we can help provide support to the Province of Manitoba in its evacuation efforts.' The city says some facilities and services could be affected and employees are helping with emergency support. The Red Cross and province are using Billy Mosienko Arena as a reception area for evacuees. The province is urging evacuees to shelter with family and friends if possible. Those who are evacuating are being asked to register with the Red Cross for emergency assistance.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mitigation Project application approved by North Sioux City commissioners
NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) — Commissioners unanimously voted to apply for financial help for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Financial Assistance from the state's Office of Emergency Management. City documents indicated the money consists of a cost share of 75% from federal funding,15% from state funds, and 10% from North Sioux City for the design of the project. Meet the man who's captained Arnolds Parks' Queen II for 25 years City officials said they're committed to providing a 10% minimum local match for the project. The total estimated cost of the project is more than $1.7 million. City commissioners approved to apply before the deadline of May 30. 'We just wanted to get that in there, that includes several options that we have yet to pick to design but this gives us the flexibility to if we can get in the cue. Hopefully get the grant awarded to us and then we'll have time to choose which alternative is best,' said Mayor Chris Bogenrief. Two of the possible plans go through McCook Lake, and a third goes through Lake Goodenough, then into Mud Lake, before going to the Missouri River. Bogenrief said a public hearing may happen in July or August to determine which alternate plan to go with for the mitigation project. City commissioners also voted yes to award Steve Harris Construction Incorporated from Homer, Nebraska, for the Penrose Drive Reconstruction Project. The company bid more than $719,000 on the project, the city received bids on May 21. Mayor Bogenrief said the city will use FEMA funds to pay for the project as North Sioux City received approximately $915,000 from the agency. Story continues below Top Story: 2025 graduation ceremonies for Sioux City Community School District Lights & Sirens: 'The First Musketeer': Sioux City Musketeers founder Gary Lipshutz passes away Sports: Dell Rapids claims SDHSBA Class B title with 5-4 win over Dakota Valley in eight innings Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Construction is set to start in the second week of June. Additionally, the city commission also approved a more than $35,000 bid from Stockwell Engineering to put a temporary storm sewer for Northshore Reconstruction due to the pooling of storm water on the road. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
