Author Archive | Wesley Shaw

FEMA Releases Guidance for 2011 Mitigation Grant Programs

Via the always useful CZMA Climate Change and Coastal Hazards E-News Update newsletter: The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program Guidance” (176 pp.) represents the unification of all five of the agency’s hazard mitigation grant programs into one guidance document. These programs, which provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce […]

NOAA Announces New Coastal Resilience Networks Grant Program

From our friends at NOAA: CRest Grant Program – Coastal Resilience Networks Pacific Islands – Gulf of Mexico – West Coast Coastal Resilience Networks (CRest) is a new and exciting grant opportunity for the Pacific Islands, Gulf of Mexico, and West Coast regions. The program funds projects that help communities become more resilient to the […]

3ft of Freeboard? I'll Take 12ft!

After Hurricane Ike bashed a hole in their roof and left their first floor uninhabitable, FEMA experts recommended that Galveston (TX) residents Matt and Lauren Johnson elevate their home 3′ above the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. The Johnsons went for 12′ instead. “Even if it costs us more now, whatever costs […]

Free Online Hurricane Response Training

Want training on how to help safely guide your community through a hurricane, but lack the resources and time to head off to a specialized class somewhere? Have a look at the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training (COMET) hurricane course. It’s free, and you can do it from any computer connected to […]

It's Back . . . Senate Reauthorizes National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

From the bright and informed folks over at the Association of State Floodplain Managers: As part of a unanimous consent agreement last night, the Senate cleared a measure (HR 5569) that would extend the authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. It was previously passed by the House, so it will […]

Panel to Discuss Long-Term Impacts of Oil Spill, this Friday (Web or Corpus Christi)

Curious about the projected effects of the oil spill on the region? The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies is hosting an event in Corpus Christi on Friday. Not in Texas (or too far from Corpus Christi)? You can also watch the event on your computer. From their press release: Scientists with the […]

New Batch of Oil Spill Photos

MSNBC has added to their already expansive photo collection covering the spill from the explosion to yesterday (day 62). While they’re not pleasant viewing, many of the photos are captivating. Don’t forget to visit the easily-missed tabs in the upper right corner that break the photos down month-by-month. “Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster” (on MSNBC)

Congress Wants Your Thoughts on New NOAA Climate Service

Today marks the first day of a two-week online dialogue on the establishment of the NOAA Climate Service. You can participate in the conversation by visiting their website: www.NAPAclimatedialogue.org. The study is trying to determine how the NOAA Climate Service can best: Provide information at the global, regional and state levels over varying timescales Support […]

Federal Flood Insurance Will Cover Flood-Related Oil Damage [FEMA Memo]

FEMA has released a memo clarifying that in the event of a declared flood disaster, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage will apply even if oil is mixed with flood waters. The brief memo suggest that the NFIP will bill the party that caused the oil damage (in this case, British Petroleum) for the damages. […]

New NOAA PDF Answers Hurricane vs Oil Slick Questions

NOAA has released a short new PDF outlining how they expect the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill will affect this year’s hurricanes. The short version: not much. The two pages of “Hurricanes and the Oil Spill” attempt to concisely answer such questions as: What will happen to a hurricane that runs through this oil slick? (Very […]