FEMA SAYS NEW YORK SUVIVORS PROVIDED $2 BILLION

$2 billion provided to NY survivors by FEMA, SBA
Release date:
March 1, 2013
Release Number:
NR-180

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $2 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. This includes:
Nearly $918 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
More than $793 million for housing assistance
More than $124 million for other needs More than $1.1 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
:Other assistance
More than $717 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and eligible nonprofit organizations that serve the public
More than $2.6 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
5.3 million cubic yards of debris removed
269,192 people contacted FEMA for help or information
180,406 housing inspections completed
164,194 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
25 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

GENERATORS SENT TO HELP HURRICANE SANDY SURVIVORS

Army Sgt. 1st Class Barry "Lee" Newnam II, noncommissioned officer in charge, 249th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, N.C., assists in the movement of generators to be sent to areas in New Jersey that are in critical need of power. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jennifer Brady

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Soldiers Coordinate Generator Shipment for Sandy Relief

By Army Sgt. Jennifer Brady
10th Press Camp Headquarters

LAKEHURST, N.J., Nov. 9, 2012 - State and local authorities, with support from federal agencies, have been working to restore power to residents of the northeastern United States impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said his top priority is to restore power to those affected by the storm and the U.S. Army's 249th Engineer Battalion, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., is helping to do just that.

"We're conducting support of the national response framework by conducting assessments at critical facilities and sending the information back to the generator yard to begin sending generators out so that we can help bring power back to the people of New Jersey," said Army Capt. Michael Wiehagen, who commands the battalion's Bravo Company.

Wiehagen, a Pittsburgh native, is responsible for a number of engineer teams throughout New Jersey and parts of New York that are working around the clock to assess damage and determine the scale of assistance needed.

Once local power needs are identified, Wiehagen's mission is coordinating the allocation and shipping of generators to these areas.

For Army Sgt. 1st Class Barry "Lee" Newnam II, noncommissioned officer in charge, 249th Engineer Battalion, it's more than a mission; it's an opportunity to help fellow Americans.

"Being a United States Army soldier, it's a privilege to help the citizens of New Jersey in this time of need and I look forward to continuing to serve," Newnam said. "We are here to offer support to the state of New Jersey for as long as they need us and it's imperative that we continue this support at such a critical time."

The generators allocated for New Jersey residents are ready and capable, the engineers said, with enough power to support hospitals and other areas in critical need.

Four generators can provide enough energy to power a small town, and with hundreds of generators facilitated by the 249th Engineer Battalion, the soldiers and FEMA are well on their way to restoring power in New Jersey.

PENTAGON PROVIDES STORM RESPONSE UPDATE

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia Commons.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Pentagon Officials Provide Storm Response Update
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2012 - The Department of Defense is a fully integrated partner in the federal, state, and local response to Hurricane Sandy and is appropriately postured to provide additional assistance to civilian authorities as a result of the northeaster currently sweeping through the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States, defense officials reported today.

To address potential issues that may result from the northeaster, DOD has kept significant capacity in the region to provide emergency, temporary power and pumping capability and to distribute fuel, food, cold-weather clothing and other comfort items as requested by civil authorities, officials said.

DOD's response to Hurricane Sandy continues, officials said. Significant updates over the past 24 hours, as of 11 a.m. EST, include:

-- U.S. Transportation Command has delivered 354 power restoration vehicles and 449 technical personnel on 64 missions from California, Arizona, Nevada, and Washington to Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y.; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.; and John F. Kennedy International Airport, N.Y. Seven more flights are scheduled today from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., to McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

-- Since Hurricane Sandy struck the east coast, Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-5 Galaxies, C-27J Spartans and C-130 Hercules have flown nearly 200 sorties, moving more than 700 passengers and approximately 3,000 tons of cargo. The Air Force delivered equipment, supplies and crews ranging from teams of power company employees and blankets to generators, water pumps and utility trucks being used to restore power to areas devastated by the disaster.

-- Marine Corps pump teams assigned to the 19th Engineering Battalion, Fort Knox, Ky., pumped 256,000 gallons from basement areas at three apartment complexes in Queens, N.Y., and are continuing operations in the same neighborhoods. Air Force teams provided pump support to the New York City Fire Department in Brooklyn and at the Rockaway Waste Water Treatment Plant. A Navy dive detachment is providing pump support at the World Trade Center. Army divers are assisting with assessments at Craven Point, and Amtrak Substation in Kearney, N.J.

-- The USS San Antonio and the USS Carter Hall repositioned from Breezy Point, N.Y., due to storm warnings. The USS Wasp will weather the storm at anchor.

-- Navy and Marine Corps teams have begun pumping operations in Breezy Point, N.Y.

-- Navy divers assisted with surface and underwater infrastructure assessments, evaluating storm damage to Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook. Navy personnel also assisted with debris cleanup operations at the station.

-- Marine teams are removing debris from locations and routes in Staten Island and at the Hoboken Ferry Terminal.

-- The secretary of defense approved the use of a fourth vessel, the Maine Maritime Training Ship, State of Maine, to provide accommodations and meals to first responders in New York City. The TS State of Maine will join the TS Empire State, TS Kennedy, and Ready Reserve Fleet Vessel SS Wright already at anchor in New York City.

-- Over the past 24 hours, the Defense Logistics Agency delivered one million meals to JBMDL and Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y., and 850,000 gallons of fuel to Federal Emergency Management Agency-supported sites s throughout the affected region. DLA is providing 600,000 meals, 600,000 bottles of water, propane, and diesel fuel to support 11 American Red Cross sites in New York and New Jersey.

-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for water drainage operations at 14 sites. To date, seven sites have been completed, seven sites are being pumped and engineers expect to complete operations at two sites in the next 24 hours. The Corps of Engineers has processed more than 470 requests for power restoration services to date.

-- More than 7,100 National Guard members are supporting the governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. These National Guard troops continue to provide critical assistance to local first-responders and FEMA with damage assessments, route clearance, power generation, fuel distribution, debris reduction and removal, search and rescue, delivery of essential equipment and supplies, support at evacuation shelters and first-responder bed-down locations, and the employment of unique engineering capabilities.

-- The New York National Guard has 4,248 people and more than 600 vehicles on state active duty supporting relief efforts. The New York National Guard is conducting 20 point-of-distribution missions, which have provided 115,000 cases of meals, 62,283 cases of bottled water and 31,558 blankets to date.

-- The New Jersey National Guard has 2,011 people on state active duty supporting relief efforts. New Jersey National Guard members are assisting emergency responders with fuel distribution, with over 170,232 gallons distributed since Nov. 2. Guard members also distributed 6,618 blankets, 1,740 cots and 3,648 towels throughout the state. The New Jersey National Guard is assisting law enforcement agencies with security support in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

U.S. AIR FORCE HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF PHOTOS

 

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE
New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Thomas Moade from the 174th Attack Wing out of Syracuse leads other members of the 174th as well as members of the New York Army Guard from Newburg in taking water and cases of food to local residents in Staten Island on Nov. 2. The food and water was provided to people who needed assistance after Hurricane Sandy took down power lines and caused massive destruction to many homes in the area leaving families desperate for help. Moade and the others were taking the food to those who could not make it to the Emergency Response location.

Staff Sergeant Jennifer Bartkus and Airman First Class Ryan Culp from the 161st Air Refueling Wing Aerial Port, Phoenix help guide a vehicle being loaded on a C-17 Globemaster III, Nov. 2, 2012. The 161st ARW will facilitate the loading and transportation of Salt River Project and Arizona Public Service line crews, support staff and required vehicles in efforts to restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

RECENT FEMA HURRICANE SANDY PHOTOS

 

 

FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AENCY

Fairfield Beach, Conn., Nov. 3, 2012 --Community Relations Specialists Helaine Kephart and John Kosciolek provide information to a homeowner. Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are in the field, providing information and answering questions for storm survivors seeing their homes for the first time since evacuating for Hurricane Sandy. Photo by Marilee Caliendo-FEMA

Rockaway, N.Y., Nov. 3, 2012 --Local residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy get water and meals ready to eat from National Guard troops at a Point of Distribution on Roackway Point Boulevard. Jocelyn Augustino-FEMA

FEMA USES AIR GUARD BASE FOR HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCYStaff Sgt. Joshua Wishmyer signals to his brother Staff Sgt. John Wishmyer as he moves a pallet of boxed meals at the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing based in Martinsburg W.Va., Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia as needed. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search-and-rescue missions to debris removal. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle  

FEMA Employs Air Guard Base for Storm Relief
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sherree Grebenstein
167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard

MARTINSBURG, Nov. 2, 2012 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency is using the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing base here as a staging area to push out much-needed storm relief supplies to Mountain State residents hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy.

Airmen and soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard are working in tandem to ensure the emergency supplies trucked in from around the country will be distributed to those in need. Operations spun up yesterday morning at the base with approximately three-and-a-half million liters of water and 600,000 self-heating emergency meals, as well as infant and toddler supplies slated to be delivered in the coming days.

"We will maintain 80 to 100 truckloads [of supplies] here at all times," said Joe D'Angelo, FEMA's Incident Management Assistance Team logistics chief for Region III.

D'Angelo said he expects the base to be used as a staging area through at least next week.

Two companies from the West Virginia Army National Guard's 77th Brigade are tasked with distributing the needed supplies to Mountain State residents. Citizen soldiers from the 1201st Forward Support Company and Delta 230th FSC will take to the roadways to drop off the supplies.

"We're going to turn them into ice truckers," said Army Master Sgt. Keith Bibb, property book officer for the 77th Brigade.

As of yesterday evening, the 120 citizen soldiers assigned to the mission were awaiting their first marching orders to begin distribution of the supplies.

"We're loaded, cocked and ready to go," Bibb said. "We are staged waiting for our mission."

MARINES AND SAILORS FROM USS WASP READY TO PROVIDE HELP TO NEW ENGLAND

　

Marines and sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed aboard USS Wasp, Nov. 1, 2012, currently afloat off the coast of New York City, to assist in disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The 26th MEU can provide generators, fuel, clean water and helicopter lift capabilities to aid in disaster relief efforts. The 26th MEU is currently in pre-deployment training, preparing for their departure in 2013. As an expeditionary crisis response force operating from the sea, the MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael S. Lockett

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Sailors, Marines Join USS Wasp for Sandy Relief

By Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Lockett
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit


NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2012 - Marines and sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., flew aboard the USS Wasp Nov. 1 to prepare to provide assistance to New Jersey, New York and Connecticut in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.


Within less than a day of receiving the order from Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, the commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marines and sailors boarded aircraft and sortied from bases in North Carolina to meet the amphibious assault ship as it sailed off the coast of New York City, preparing to provide medical, logistical, engineering, and heavy airlift support to the storm-damaged areas if tasked by the secretary of defense.

"What's important here is that the American public sees that their military can provide support to American cities, to American citizens, in a time of need," said Marine Corps Col. Matthew G. St. Clair, 26th MEU commanding officer. The MEU is a Marine Corps crisis-response force that's designed to remain afloat for months at a time

The 26th MEU is uniquely suited to the task. Operating from a Navy vessel, the unit's air assets have an agility that ensures aid can be delivered anywhere within hundreds of miles.

"We have the capability to fly, and we can support New Jersey. We can support New York City. We can support Connecticut -- simultaneously," St. Clair said. "That's what the MEU brings -- the flexibility and the inherent capabilities that come with it."

The 26th MEU equipment embarked aboard the Wasp were chosen to give the unit many tools to bring to its assistance efforts in the area. Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron 266 Reinforced, assisted by aircraft from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, has UH-1N Huey and the CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopters capable of moving large numbers of passengers, supplies, or equipment.

"This is another great example of the flexibility and responsiveness of the Navy-Marine Corps team," St. Clair said. "Specifically, our [helicopters provide the] ability to conduct these operations from the sea. We're able to do something other services cannot do. We don't have to have a large footprint on the shore. We can conduct all of our command and control from the sea."

The Wasp, purpose-built to support the operations of a Marine expeditionary unit, is the perfect staging platform for this kind of operation.

"The city of New York -- the states -- don't have to find space to billet Marines. They don't have to find space for our aircraft. Because we can recover back to the USS Wasp, and we can do that every day," St. Clair said.

"We can assist with the ability to move supplies with our aviation assets. We can do a site survey to determine how bad an area is. We can help move and distribute supplies; water, food, blankets -- pieces of equipment," St. Clair said. "If it can fit in a CH-53E, we can move it. We can get supplies and people to areas that are affected, where the only means to get there may be aviation assets."

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, specializing in construction and debris removal, water purification and transport, electrical and generator work, medical support and heavy machinery operation, give the commanding officer many options.

"The MEU has all these capabilities inherent to the MAGTF -- the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. We're able to respond quickly. We're able to self-deploy. And the flexibility we have by being embarked on the USS Wasp allows for an afloat staging area," St. Clair said.

"Something like this pulls America together. There's support coming here from all over the country," he said, noting the MEU is just one part of a larger plan, with other agencies and organizations coming together to provide assistance to the storm-stricken Northeast.

"This is an example of what a true crisis response force is," St. Clair said. "It's the MEU and the amphibious ready group. We moved to the affected area quickly, with a robust capability, and we're posturing to support."