Press Releases

JAY VAN DER WERFF APPOINTED REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR FEMA REGION 7

Michael.Cappannari — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:47:02 +0000

JAY VAN DER WERFF APPOINTED REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR FEMA REGION 7

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The regional office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday welcomed its new regional administrator, Jay Van Der Werff, following his recent appointment to the position by the Trump administration.

Van Der Werff joined FEMA Region 7 in 2019, as the National Preparedness Division Director and Federal Preparedness Coordinator. He retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years of active-duty service. After his military career, he held leadership roles at Garmin International, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, and Army University’s faculty development program. Dr. Van Der Werff holds a BA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an MS in Management from Liberty University, and a PhD in Adult and Continuing Education from Kansas State University.

As Region 7 administrator, Van Der Werff will oversee a Kansas City-based office of over 300 staff and a four-state region that covers Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

###

FEMA's mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.

Michael.Cappannari Fri, 08/07/2026 - 16:47

President Donald J. Trump Increases Federal Cost Share for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

amy.ashbridge — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:18:32 +0000

President Donald J. Trump Increases Federal Cost Share for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

WASHINGTON -- FEMA’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, Robert Fenton announced that President Donald J. Trump made additional disaster assistance available to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms and flooding from June 12-16, 2025.

The President authorized the federal cost share for all Public Assistance to be funded at 98% of the total eligible costs.

The major disaster declaration made federal funding available for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for eligible costs.

amy.ashbridge Wed, 08/05/2026 - 15:18

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Gann Fire in Calaveras County

eileen.chao — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:16:46 +0000

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Gann Fire in Calaveras County

OAKLAND, Calif. – The FEMA Region 9 Administrator has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California in combating the Gann Fire burning in Calaveras County.

On August 4, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Gann Fire. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 919 homes in and around Copperopolis and San Andreas, CA. Mandatory evacuations had taken place for approximately 900 people. The fire began on August 3 and had already burned more than 6,495 acres.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. FMAGs are approved through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become major disasters.

Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire. For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.

eileen.chao Wed, 08/05/2026 - 15:16

FEMA Announces $11.4 Million for States and Territories to Address Critical Dam Infrastructure

amy.ashbridge — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:27:30 +0000

FEMA Announces $11.4 Million for States and Territories to Address Critical Dam Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced an $11.4 million funding opportunity for states and territories to make dams safer across the nation.

FEMA is making this funding available through its Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grant program. This program empowers states and territories to repair, replace, reconstruct or remove dams that put people and property at risk. Because many American communities rely on dams to prevent catastrophic flooding, this grant program is critical for disaster mitigation and prevention.

“One of the most powerful ways communities can protect lives and critical infrastructure is through the presence of safe, durable dams,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator, Robert Fenton. “This funding will provide our state and local emergency management partners with extra resources to repair and rehabilitate high hazard dams so lives and property are saved in the future.”

The Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grant program is one of FEMA’s mitigation grant programs. These programs enable state, local, tribal and territorial governments to take decisive, proactive steps to protect their communities from potential disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. When done correctly, mitigation measures protect private property, strengthen infrastructure, reduce the cost of future disasters and—most importantly—save lives.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grant program is open to non-federal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations. Funding may be used to rehabilitate non-federal dams that are classified as high hazard potential by their state or territory’s dam safety program. Dams must also be located within communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. The application period opens on Aug. 5, 2026, and closes on Aug. 31, 2026.

For more information on the funding opportunity, review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov.

Additional information about the National Dam Safety Program is available on FEMA’s website.

amy.ashbridge Wed, 08/05/2026 - 15:27

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for West Virginia

amy.ashbridge — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:08:36 +0000

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for West Virginia

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of West Virginia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides from July 21-22, 2026.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Lewis and Upshur counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the disaster.

Individuals and families who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.

Mark K. O’Hanlon has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

amy.ashbridge Tue, 08/04/2026 - 17:08

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

amy.ashbridge — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:44:32 +0000

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Super Typhoon Bavi from July 4-12, 2026.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals on the island of Rota. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the disaster.

Individuals and families who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling the local, toll-free line 1-671-735-1050, calling the FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.

Public Assistance funding is also available to territorial, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis. The island of Rota is approved for all categories of Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance. For a period of 90 days, direct federal assistance will be funded at 100% of the total eligible costs for the island of Rota. The islands of Saipan and Tinian are approved for emergency work related to Super Typhoon Bavi.

Andrew F. Grant has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

amy.ashbridge Tue, 08/04/2026 - 17:44

President Donald J. Trump Increases Federal Cost Share for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

lauren.youngblood — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:40:25 +0000

President Donald J. Trump Increases Federal Cost Share for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

WASHINGTON -- FEMA's Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, Robert Fenton announced that President Donald J. Trump made additional disaster assistance available to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku from April 11-18, 2026.

The President authorized the federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, to be funded at 100% of total eligible costs for an additional 90 days. The federal share for the Other Needs Assistance portion of the Individual Assistance program and all categories of Public Assistance has also been increased from 75% to 90%, except for assistance approved at 100% for a limited time period.

The major disaster declaration made federal funding available for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for eligible costs.

lauren.youngblood Tue, 08/04/2026 - 17:40

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Missouri

lauren.youngblood — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:17:22 +0000

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Missouri

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Missouri to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from June 4-18, 2026.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in Adair, Andrew, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Dade, Daviess, Gasconade, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Hickory, Holt, Jasper, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Marion, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Osage, Polk, Putnam, Scott, Shelby, Sullivan, Vernon, Webster and Worth counties.

Catherine O. Fan has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

lauren.youngblood Tue, 08/04/2026 - 17:17

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Nebraska

lauren.youngblood — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:33:18 +0000

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Nebraska

WASHINGTON – FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Nebraska to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from May 15-18, 2026.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties.

Andrew P. Meyer has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

lauren.youngblood Tue, 08/04/2026 - 17:33

President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Declaration for Washington

amy.ashbridge — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:24:49 +0000

President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Declaration for Washington

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Washington to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from wildfires beginning Aug. 1, 2026, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

This assistance is for Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impact of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.

John F. Harrison has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected areas. Designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

amy.ashbridge Tue, 08/04/2026 - 14:24