Esparanza: A Daily Outsider Public Service Initiative

  When you lose power, keep your generator outside If you use a portable generator when your power goes out, be safe. Every year, thousands of people get hurt or killed by deadly fumes from generators. Always use your generator outside, at least 20 feet away from your home. Never use it inside your home, basement, or garage. Get more tips on how to protect yourself and your household from generator dangers after an emergency.  

  How can you reunite with loved ones after an emergency? If you can’t get in touch with a loved one after a disaster, locate them with help from FEMA and the Red Cross. Understand what hotlines and search tools are available to you.  Learn more about finding friends and family in the wake of an emergency .  

    The  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative (NOAA)  has forecasted a Wind Advisory in Orange County between 4 p.m. today, Monday, January 9 through 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 10. They are also forecasting 2-3 inches of widespread rain, with a Flood Watch between 2 a.m. through 10 p.m. Tuesday, January 10 in certain Orange County areas. Flash flooding occurs when too much rain falls too fast and too long for the ground to absorb all that water.   You can stay prepared ahead any of any possible flooding by following these recommended precautions : Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Don’t park your vehicle along canals, streams or other waterways. Avoid areas subject to flooding, including dips, low spots and ditches. Look out for rapidly rising water. If driving in heavy rain, look out for flooding at highway dips and bridge underpasses. Do not attempt to drive across a flooded road. The depth of the w...

  One Year Later: Biden-Harris Administration, FEMA Highlight Progress Made Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for More Resilient Nation In the year since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed by President Biden, FEMA has announced significant grant money and several program initiatives and taken numerous bold actions to implement them across the agency to enhance the nation's resiliency . The historic legislation provided FEMA $6.8 billion to invest in communitywide mitigation to reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs. “The funding provided to FEMA under this landmark legislation represents the single largest investment in climate resilience made by our nation and is going to have significant impacts as communities are challenged with intensifying weather events,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “These critical investments have further empowered our agency to add more funding to both support current mitigation programs while also implementing ...