RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

FRANKFORT, Ky. – As Kentuckians brace for another round of severe weather, many residents are still recovering from the devastating storms and flooding that occurred between February 14 and March 7. These repeated incidents can take a serious toll on mental health and leave people feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.

For adults and children having negative feelings or thoughts, free crisis counseling is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline.

Call 800-985-5990 (Spanish Press 2) or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 (for Spanish text “Hablamos” to 66746) to connect with a trained crisis counselor. SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides free, 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions before, during and after a disaster. This national hotline provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are feeling emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. The hotline is toll-free, multilingual, and confidential, offering crisis support service to all residents in the United States and its territories.

Counselors can also provide information about recognizing emotional distress and its effects, coping tips and referrals to other call centers for more support.

For more information about who is most at risk for emotional distress from natural disasters and to find related resources, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline.

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

FRANKFORT, Ky. –When a tornado warning is issued, immediately seek the best available refuge area. Your chance of surviving improves if you follow these guidelines.

Where to go during a tornadoBest OptionsAbove or below ground tornado storm shelterSpecifically designed FEMA safe roomGood OptionsInterior room of a well-constructed home or buildingBasementBad OptionsLarge open rooms like gymnasiumsManufactured housingWorst OptionsMobile homesVehiclesUnderneath a highway overpassWhat to do during a floodStay Informed: Listen to radio and television, including NOAA weather radio, if possible, check the Internet and social media for information and updates.Get to Higher Ground: If you live in a flood prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately.Obey Evacuation Orders: If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances.Practice Electrical Safety: Don’t go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping noises–get out! Stay out of water that may have electricity in it!Avoid Flood Waters: Don’t walk through flood waters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible. Do NOT drive into flooded roadways

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

LOS ANGELES – FEMA is still working in Los Angeles County to help residents recover from the LA wildfires. The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance has passed, but Disaster Recovery Centers remain open and the deadline to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) to participate in the federally funded debris removal program has been extended to April 15. 

Survivors who registered prior to the deadline are encouraged to keep in touch with FEMA to continue to update their application as their situation changes and to work through the approval process. For those displaced by the fires, rental assistance is still available.

If you do not qualify for FEMA assistance, state and local resources may also be available. For more information visit: 2025 Los Angeles Fires | CA.gov

If you were impacted by the fire but were unable to apply for FEMA assistance prior to the deadline due to extenuating circumstances, you may be able to file a late application.

If you have additional needs or wish to submit a late application, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, give FEMA your number for that service. Assistance is available in multiple languages. Lines are open Sunday–Saturday, from 4 a.m.- 10 p.m. Pacific Time. 

To be eligible for the federally funded debris removal program, an ROE form must be submitted to the County by

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on or about Oct. 2, 2025, for Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps. 

Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.

By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development to help lessen the impacts of a flooding event.

Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities that participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone

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