New Release: 2024 Utah Seismic Safety Commission Report and Recommendations

adminDisasters, Preparedness

Utah’s natural beauty and thriving communities coexist with the ever-present potential for seismic activity. The 2024 Utah Seismic Safety Commission Report and Recommendations is a forward-looking document, offering valuable guidance to the Utah Legislature. This report is a positive step toward securing the state’s future resilience in the face of seismic challenges. 2024 Key Recommendations for the Utah Legislature: The …

6 months after the quake: Looking back on dump trucks, demons and husbands

Jackie DewolfeDisasters, English, Preparedness

What did the earthquake feel like to you? This post hit the web at 7:09 a.m. today. That’s exactly six months to the minute since many Utahns felt their first earthquake. Can you believe it? The thing about your first earthquake is that your brain often doesn’t think it’s an earthquake right away. Why does it do that? We’ll get …

Are You Ready for the Next Earthquake?

Mackenzie CopeDisasters, News releases, Preparedness

SALT LAKE CITY – While earthquakes are inevitable, the damage they cause is not. Utah homeowners can take simple actions to reduce property damage and the disruption to their lives caused by earthquakes. One of the best non-structural measures you can undertake is strapping down your water heater. An earthquake-damaged water heater can cause fires, flooding, and carbon monoxide build-up …

News Release: Free Disaster Legal Services Available for Utah Quake Survivors

Mackenzie CopeDisasters, News releases, Resources

SALT LAKE CITY – A free legal aid hotline was created as part FEMA’s Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program for the Magna Earthquake and its aftershocks.  The service is open to residents of Salt Lake and Davis counties. Residents who need legal assistance for earthquake-related issues but cannot afford an attorney can call toll-free 800-662-4245. The line is open Monday …

News release: FEMA Urges Utah Quake Survivors to Guard Against Fraud and I.D. Theft

Jackie DewolfeDisasters, News releases, Resources

SALT LAKE CITY – Often after a disaster, scam artists and identity thieves attempt to prey on vulnerable survivors.Sometimes, those who try to register with FEMA discover that someone has already registered using their name. Scammers may contact survivors who have not registered with FEMA and try to extract money or information. In these cases, it’s likely the survivor’s personal …

News release: Magna Earthquake Individual Assistance Remote Inspection Process

Jackie DewolfeDisasters, News releases, Resources

July 22, 2020 SALT LAKE CITY – Due to the nationwide Covid-19 emergency, FEMA is using remote inspections to assess damage to homes in Salt Lake and Davis counties cause by earthquakes between March 18 and April 17. Utahns who applied for federal disaster assistance — and reported that they may not or cannot live at home due to earthquake damage …

4 months later: Did you have damage from the Magna earthquake?

Jackie DewolfeDisasters, Resources

Davis and Salt Lake County residents may be eligible for federal assistance Disaster Assistance steps Register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. Help in many languages is also available. Registration takes you through a survey with about 25 questions, asking the location of the home, how many occupants, what kind of …

News release: Salt Lake and Davis County residents with March earthquake losses can register with FEMA

Jackie DewolfeDisasters, News releases, Resources

July 16, 2020 Utah homeowners and renters in Salt Lake and Davis counties who had uninsured losses from the March 18 earthquake may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from FEMA. FEMA has programs that provide financial help with temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs. First, if you haven’t already done so, contact your insurance …