TheRepublic.com - Disaster planning and response News

San Antonio flooding kills 2; 200-plus rescued

Sat, 25 May 2013 23:25:22 -0400

SAN ANTONIO - Torrential rains swamped San Antonio with flash floods on Saturday, leaving at least two people dead as emergency workers rushed to rescue more than 200 residents stranded in cars and homes.

Des Moines Salvation Army warns of tornado scam

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:31:04 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Salvation Army in Des Moines is warning Iowa residents to be on the lookout for fundraising scams that claim to be helping in the effort to help tornado victims in Oklahoma.

Correction: North Dakota Flooding story

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:52:20 -0400

BISMARCK, North Dakota - In a story May 24 about North Dakota flooding, The Associated Press, relying on information from North Dakota's state engineer, erroneously reported that construction work at the Renwick Dam lowered the top of the dam by three feet. Construction left some parts of the dam at the same height and the other parts of the dam were raised by 3.4 feet.

Farmers in SE Iowa counties can seek disaster help

Sat, 25 May 2013 06:34:04 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency says the USDA has included six southeast Iowa counties as part of a presidential major disaster designation that could help farmers who suffered damage in recent severe storms.

Canard to help with tornado relief in home state

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:00:09 -0400

LAKEWOOD, Colorado - Motocross rider Trey Canard is setting up a donation booth at this weekend's race to help with relief efforts for the deadly Oklahoma tornado.

Allen to match fans' donations for tornado relief

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:42:56 -0400

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The American Red Cross will be accepting donations from fans attending the Memphis Grizzlies' next two home games in the Western Conference finals against San Antonio, and guard Tony Allen will matching those gifts.

Can Tornado Alley become safer? Yes, within limits

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:16:47 -0400

In the wind-swept prairie called Tornado Alley, the scene is eerily familiar: Homes smashed to splinters. Trees and telephone poles snapped like twigs. Piles of bricks, overturned cars and dazed survivors sifting through rubble in search of a precious photo or heirloom. A town in ruins.

NBC to air Blake Shelton's benefit for Oklahomans

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:31:06 -0400

NBC and sister networks will air Blake Shelton's concert to help his fellow Oklahomans affected by this week's storms in their home state.

Oklahoma gets far more than its share of disasters

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:55:22 -0400

WASHINGTON - Many states get hit frequently with tornadoes and other natural catastrophes, but Oklahoma is Disaster Central.

Fallin signs bill to spend $45M on tornado relief

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:08:34 -0400

OKLAHOMA CITY - Gov. Mary Fallin has signed a bill that will allow the state to access $45 million from the state's Rainy Day Fund to help communities recover from tornado damage.

Nike donating $1M in goods to tornado relief

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:32:03 -0400

OKLAHOMA CITY - Nike has announced plans to donate $1 million worth of shoes and clothing to aid people affected by the tornado in Oklahoma this week.

Homeless tornado dogs ready for adoption

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:02:17 -0400

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin - Twenty-five four-legged companions left homeless by the devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, have arrived at a Green Bay animal shelter and are ready for adoption.

Hurricane center: Beware of the storm surge

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:49:14 -0400

MIAMI - During a hurricane, storm surge is one of the greatest threats to life and land, yet many people don't understand the dire warnings from forecasters to get out of its way. So this season, they hope to offer easy-to-understand, color-coded maps and change the way they talk to the public.

Business recovery center to open in Okla.

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:50:24 -0400

MOORE, Oklahoma - Owners of businesses damaged or destroyed by a tornado at Moore can seek government assistance to help them stay afloat.

Fort Smith stresses pet rules for storm shelters

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:45:06 -0400

FORT SMITH, Arkansas - Fort Smith school officials say that while they are happy to open their shelters to the public during bad weather, they aren't happy when people break the rules.

Safe room mandates remain rare in tornado states

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:31:32 -0400

MOORE, Oklahoma - After living nearly 20 years in their one-story brick home, Sherry and Larry Wells finally won the lottery - for a state rebate on a home storm shelter, that is. A contractor finished installing the concrete bunker beneath the slab of their garage in early May. About three weeks later, the shelter saved their lives when a tornado that killed 24 people tore through their neighborhood.

National Guard helps out in flooded Pembina County

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:16:21 -0400

CAVALIER, North Dakota - Dozens of National Guard soldiers from around North Dakota are helping out in Pembina County, where recent heavy rains have led to flooding problems.

Hurricane-prep sales tax break starts Saturday

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:17:03 -0400

RICHMOND, Virginia - Virginians who want to stock up on batteries, bottled water and other supplies for the hurricane season will get a tax break starting Saturday.

Lawmakers ask Obama to aid flood-impacted areas

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:21:34 -0400

CHICAGO - The Illinois congressional delegation is asking President Barack Obama to make federal aid available to local governments in 25 counties impacted by floods earlier this month.

Tennessee Smokies raise money for tornado victims

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:58:30 -0400

KODAK, Tennessee - The Tennessee Smokies of the Double-A Southern League plan to help Oklahoma tornado victims by presenting a check to the American Red Cross on behalf of outfielder Ty Wright, a former Oklahoma State player.

Obama increases fed share of Sandy relief for NY

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:36:18 -0400

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is providing more Hurricane Sandy disaster relief to New York, increasing the share of public assistance that the government will pay from 75 percent to 90 percent of the cost.

Neb. rescue team returns home after Okla. tornado

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:03:29 -0400

LINCOLN, Nebraska - A search and rescue team from Nebraska is returning home after helping with tornado damage in an Oklahoma City suburb.

Browns QB Weeden to help with Oklahoma tornado

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:40 -0400

BEREA, Ohio - Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden is heading home to help his cherished Oklahoma heal.

Texans give $100,000 to tornado relief efforts

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:33:12 -0400

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans have donated $100,000 to help in relief efforts in the wake of this week's devastating and deadly tornado in Oklahoma.

Latest deadly tornado tests Oklahoma town's mettle

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:14:19 -0400

MOORE, Oklahoma - Having lived most of her life in this Oklahoma City suburb, Barbara Bryen never feared twisters. They were just part of life in a particularly deadly stretch of Tornado Alley.