Thread: Where are They?????

Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Visit to Joplin, Missouri

Release Date: June 9, 2011

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

JOPLIN, Mo—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today joined Missouri Governor Jay Nixon in Joplin, Mo., to survey the ongoing recovery and response efforts on the ground following the tornadoes and severe weather that devastated the region last month and meet with state, local and community partners to reiterate the Obama administration's continued commitment to assisting the long-term recovery efforts of communities affected by recent severe weather.

"The Obama administration remains dedicated to helping Joplin and communities throughout Missouri as we work together in our recovery efforts to become stronger and more resilient than ever before," said Secretary Napolitano. "We will not leave until the job is finished, and we will continue to support our team of federal, state, local and community partners that are working tirelessly to help the people of Missouri rebuild their communities."

"In the wake of this natural disaster, Missourians have come together with a spirit of faith, resilience and resolve," said Governor Nixon. "We clearly saw that spirit in the professionals from more than 400 public safety organizations from across our state and throughout the country responded to the call for help, and that spirit has continued with thousands of volunteers who have traveled to Joplin to help those in need. Once again, the toughest of times have brought out the best spirit of the people and professionals of the Show-Me State."

Secretary Napolitano joined Governor Nixon and Congressman Billy Long to tour the area affected by the deadly tornado that touched down in Joplin on May 22, 2011. During their tour, Secretary Napolitano, Governor Nixon and Congressman Long met with hospital leadership at the temporary medical facility at St. John's Mercy Hospital, which was created after the tornado caused significant destruction to the hospital.

After surveying the damage, Secretary Napolitano met with state and local leaders, state police officials and members of the National Guard to discuss recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved nearly $20 million in assistance to individuals and households across the state, with over $11 million approved for Jasper and Newton Counties.

Since the storms first hit Joplin, the Obama administration has been deeply involved in response and recovery efforts. On May 26, DHS Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute traveled to Joplin to meet with state and local officials and first responders on the ground and on May 29, President Obama visited the area to survey the damage and discuss response and relief efforts with first responders, and to participate in a Community Memorial Service with Governor Nixon and local clergy. Additionally, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino were on the ground in Joplin the day after the tornadoes struck, and other senior DHS officials traveled to the Joplin area immediately following the devastating tornadoes—working on behalf of President Obama and Secretary Napolitano to coordinate the ongoing federal disaster response.

Families and individuals that have been impacted by the tornadoes and storms and need assistance have several options for getting help:
•Registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov,
•Registering through a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or
•Calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
•Visiting the State of Missouri Resource, Recovery & Rebuilding Center, open from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. and located in the Joplin Plaza Shopping Center at 705 Illinois Avenue in Joplin. The center's toll-free number is (855)956-7546.

For more information, please visit www.fema.gov.

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This page was last reviewed/modified on June 9, 2011.

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1307642913456.shtm

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FEMA awards $14 million to Iowa flood victims

by Rajah Maples
Posted: 09.03.2010 at 4:44 PM
Rajah Maples is an Anchor and Reporter for KHQA.

LEE COUNTY, IOWA -- FEMA has approved more than $14 million for Iowa homeowners and renters affected by summer flooding and severe storms.

If you have any kind of damage since June 1, 2010, you should register with FEMA to find out if you are eligible to receive grant money.

114 people in Lee County have already registered. FEMA has approved $190,000 for Lee County grant money.

If you need to register, you can call 1-800-621-3362 or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov .

http://www.connecttristates.com/news/st ... ?id=506681

Aid sought for storm victims

Published: Friday, May 27, 2011
By Carol Hopkins, For the Daily Tribune

Disaster agency officials in the region say they are doing their best to provide assistance to people affected by the destruction caused by the recent Midwest twisters.

"It's been a very busy spring," said Jim Laverty, regional executive officer of the Southeastern Michigan Region of the American Red Cross.

"We are getting donations for various disasters, flooding victims, people in the tornadoes in Joplin."

Laverty said 12 local volunteers have been deployed this spring, and he is anticipating the Detroit office's emergency services manager will be called out soon to help, he said.

"It's a balancing act for us because we on average respond to five fires a night here locally. (The disasters) put a lot of pressure on everyone."

Joplin is cleaning up from a Sunday storm that was the nation's eighth-deadliest twister among records dating to 1840. Late-night tornado sirens had Joplin's residents ducking for cover again before the storm brushed past without serious problems.

At least 125 died and many are still listed as missing.

The disasters never become easier for volunteers, said Laverty.

When they return to Michigan, "they are debriefed almost like returning war veterans," he said.

Joe Kohn, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Detroit, said Catholic Charities Relief is helping with tornado victims.

Catholic Charities agencies are assisting in states affected by tornados and flooding such as Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Officials said agencies are reaching out to disaster survivors.

Catholic Charities USA, the national office for the 170-member human services and disaster response organization, is coordinating with local agencies and providing assistance and support as needed.

Kohn said local people traditionally have dug deep into their wallets to assist during disasters.

"Even in these tough economic times, when there is a request for helping people in need who have been impacted by disaster, the metro Detroit community has stepped up and given an impressive amount."

Red Cross emergency response vehicles in Missouri responded immediately and more vehicles are on the way to help distribute food, water and relief supplies in the affected neighborhoods, according to officials.

Red Cross workers are being deployed and relief materials, including personal hygiene items like toothbrushes and shampoo, tarps, coolers, rakes and other clean-up supplies are now being sent to Joplin.

The Salvation Army has four mobile feeding kitchens stationed in Joplin, each capable of serving several thousand meals. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network also arrived in Joplin to assist survivors in locating loved ones through a ham radio network.

Social media sites are also tied into disaster relief. One YouTube video at http://bit.ly/iZA287 shows a group selling $4 bracelets to raise money for tornado victims.

Facebook has dedicated many sites to the tornado survivors, including the Joplin Tornado Victim Support Page.

Another online site is focused on raising money for animals affected by the tornadoes at http://bit.ly/izhfGd.

http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/20 ... =fullstory

I'm still waiting where are they???? They all just love to open their mouth and get their faces in the news all the time for stupid crap. Where are their mouths and mugs on the charity events for the tornado victims!!! There are 4 or 5 States that have been hit very hard millions of people!!!!! I'M STILL WAITING"!!!!



Kathyet

Originally Posted by kathyet

I'm still waiting where are they???? They all just love to open their mouth and get their faces in the news all the time for stupid crap. Where are their mouths and mugs on the charity events for the tornado victims!!! There are 4 or 5 States that have been hit very hard millions of people!!!!! I'M STILL WAITING"!!!!



Kathyet

Kathyet, you'll wait a lot longer. Iowa isn't the right color and political persuasion I guess for the Hollywood celebs and other talking heads. Just another example of extreme hypocrisy.

Iowa is flooding? This is the 1st I have heard about it. Where am I? Still stuck on Missouri Tornadoes, and Carolina Tornadoes, ???? there is soo much going on... Best wishes to Iowa.

Originally Posted by JohnnyYuma

Iowa is flooding? This is the 1st I have heard about it. Where am I? Still stuck on Missouri Tornadoes, and Carolina Tornadoes, ???? there is soo much going on... Best wishes to Iowa.

Yes there is a lot going on and they are talking very little about any of it, Iowa;s farm land is being washed away....But ... there is too much other important things they have to talk about on the news like whiny Weiner etc. I heard on the news the other day that Brad Pitt and Jolene are donating 500,000 to the tornado victims in Joplin...now that was on the news...


Kathyet

Maybe they just need someone to organize a benefit show for Iowa.

Any volunteers?