SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Last year, Puerto Rico endured numerous severe weather events including flooding, heavy rains and storm surges which affected families and businesses in various degrees, but were not extensive enough to justify a federal disaster declaration. However, more than half a million dollars were paid to flood affected business owners, renters and families who own flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

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PRIME HOOK (March 18, 2013) – The winning entries of the 2013 Delaware Junior Duck Stamp Competition will be judged at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 23 at the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton. The entries will be displayed at the center until Saturday, March 30.

A new rapid water-quality test may prevent beaches from being closed by providing accurate same day results of bacteria levels, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.

With increasing outbreaks of waterborne illnesses, beaches have been at the forefront of recent research on human health risk. This new rapid water-quality test, developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will help managers across the country determine whether beaches are safe for swimming in order to keep the public from getting sick. Previous tests could not provide same-day results, so managers had to decide whether to close a beach based on findings from the day before.

USGS scientists analyzed the accuracy of EPA’s rapid test by looking at past water quality data from five beaches along Lake Michigan to determine what the outcomes would have been if the rapid test was used. These findings were then compared to two older methods of testing which require 24 hours for results.  Scientists discovered that results from the rapid test met EPA’s safe swimming criteria more often than the older tests. If this method had been used during the study period examined, the summers of 2009 and 2010, it may have prevented hundreds of beach closure days and possibly significantly decreased incidences of waterborne illnesses. The full report is available online.

“This study provides beach managers with a virtual “test drive” of this tool; it gives them an idea of what they can expect in terms of beach monitoring decision making,” said USGS scientist Meredith Nevers. “Our research shows that EPA’s rapid test can be an effective tool for beach managers to help keep their recreational beach goers happy and safe.”

Beach closures not only impact recreational users in the summertime, but they also create huge losses for the local economy. Studies have found that the value of a beach trip is between $20-$36 per person per day — revenue which may be lost to local economies when beaches are closed. 

The new rapid test, called quantitative polymerase chain reaction for enterococci, is recommended by the EPA, but it is not a requirement. The test has been included in the 2012 EPA guidelines for safe levels of indicator bacteria, including: Escherichia coli (E. coli) and enterococci. The test can be used at both freshwater and marine beaches. To learn more about EPA’s recreational water quality criteria, visit their webpage.

 

PURVIS, Miss. – State and federal recovery officials are urging Mississippians to obtain any necessary building permits before starting new construction or repairs to property damaged by the recent tornadoes and flooding.

“Getting building permits is necessary for those with homes or businesses damaged by the storms,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles. “Residents need to know that permits are based on local ordinances enforced by their communities.”

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NEW YORK – New York renters may be eligible for additional grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To find out if renters qualify, they must complete and submit their disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

No one has to accept an SBA disaster loan. But information provided on that loan application may be used to help determine eligibility for a variety of FEMA programs that can help renters rebuild their lives.

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DOVER (March 15, 2013) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents made 574 contacts with the public, including 23 boating safety checks, in which all vessel operators were found to be in compliance. Agents also responded to 20 complaints and issued 14 citations between March 6 and 13.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to improve public awareness for National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 18-22, 2013.  The agencies’ goal is to improve understanding about flood risk among individuals, families, businesses and communities.  Knowledge and the right precautions can protect families, homes and finances.

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to improve public awareness for National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 18-22, 2013.  The agencies’ goal is to improve understanding about flood risk among individuals, families, businesses and communities.  Knowledge and the right precautions can protect families, homes and finances.

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NEW YORK — Disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy:

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WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to improve public awareness for National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 18-22, 2013.  The agencies’ goal is to improve understanding about flood risk among individuals, families, businesses and communities. Knowledge and the right precautions can protect families, homes and finances.

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DENTON, Texas –   The Region 6 office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is joining its federal, state and local partners in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas to commemorate Flood Safety Awareness Week from March 18-22, 2013.  

The week-long campaign provides an opportunity for emergency management experts to work together in sharing information about the dangers related to flooding, how to prepare for flood events and ways to prevent future damage from floods.

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NEW YORK – Survivors of Hurricane Sandy have two weeks to register for possible disaster assistance and to return applications for low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The deadline for both is March 29.

FEMA urges everyone who sustained losses from Hurricane Sandy to register, including those who have insurance. Insurance may not cover all losses.

The 13 designated counties are: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

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DOVER (March 14, 2013) – With spring just around the corner and summer not far behind, the marine mammal and sea turtle stranding season also nears, which means beachgoers could soon come upon seals, porpoises, dolphins, sea turtles and occasionally large whales that have stranded on shore or in shallow coastal waters.

DOVER (March 14, 2013) – Wildlife art enthusiasts, stamp and print collectors, waterfowl hunters, anglers, birdwatchers and wetland conservationists will gather at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11 at the Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village in Dover to watch the judging of Delaware’s annual Waterfowl Stamp (formerly known as Duck Stamp) and Trout Stamp contests.

DOVER (March 14, 2013) – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21 on a proposed addition to the state’s tidal finfish regulations to include definitions and measures designed to control invasive finfish species in Delaware’s tidal waters. The hearing will be held in the DNREC Auditorium at 89 Kings Highway in Dover.

DOVER (March 14, 2013) – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21 to consider proposed amendments to the state’s tidal finfish regulations on summer flounder. The hearing will be held in the DNREC Auditorium at 89 Kings Highway in Dover.

PURVIS, Miss. – The Disaster Recovery Center in Lamar Park at 226 Pinewood Dr. will close Friday, March 15, at 6 p.m., according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

One other DRC in Mississippi will remain open at the Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Avenue in Hattiesburg. People who are unable to visit the Lamar Park facility before it closes can talk to disaster specialists at the Ben McNair center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until further notice.

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The Sovereign Navajo Nation and FEMA Sign Formal Disaster Aid Agreement

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DOVER (March 13, 2013) – Prior to Delaware’s 2013 spring turkey season, youth ages 10 to 15 and non-ambulatory hunters with disabilities will have a special one-day hunt opportunity on Saturday, April 6.

LEWES (March 14, 2013) – On Saturday, March 23, at 5:30 p.m., Fort Miles staff will offer tours of Battery 519 by lantern light. Visitors will learn how soldiers defended the coastline during World War II. The program meets at the Fort Miles Orientation Building and is suitable for ages 10 and up.