Big Bags USA

Winter 2016 has already been a tough one when it comes to extreme weather. Missouri saw record breaking flooding as we brought in the New Year. Winter storm Jonas brought major flooding to the East Coast. This extremely wet winter season shows promise of a devastating flood season as well. Let's take a look at what is expected throughout the next couple of months and why: 2016 Winter Outlook  This year's El Niño, one of the strongest on record, is expected to influence weather and climate patterns this winter by impacting the position of the Pacific jet stream. Keep in mind that there are several other factors that can influence the winter weather patterns as well, including the North Atlantic Oscillation, Arctic Oscillation, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation. These factors however, can be difficult to predict more than a few weeks in advance. Let's take a look the latest outlook for precipitation across the U.S. for now through March 2016: While these projections...

Big Bags USA® is dedicated to preventing flood damage. Our flood control systems can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the costs normally associated with rapid deployed systems. At Big Bags USA® , we're always ready to help local, state and federal agencies be prepared! Customer Issues & Needs You can use Big Bags USA® sandbag replacement systems in a variety of flood & water control situations. For example, flooding caused by: Hurricanes  Tropical Storms River Floods Heavy Rains Winter Storms Flash Floods Spring Thaw Tsunami Storm Surge  Other applications for the Big Bags USA® barrier systems include: Erosion Control  Water Diversion  Cofferdams Levees Blast Barriers Shoreline Stabilization Spill Containment Mudslide Diversion Big Bags USA® Flood Barrier Systems Each Big Bags USA® flood barrier system consists of 5 connected heavy-duty cubic yard bags. The barriers can be connected to form one contiguous line...

As we discussed in our blog last week, FEMA offers a public assistance program to help those communities in a state of emergency. Under this program, federal funds of 75% are available to help communities quickly recover from major disasters or other emergencies declared by the President. More specifically, the program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures , and permanent restoration of infrastructure. Let's take a look at how the public assistance process works: Public Assistance Process As soon as practicable after the Presidential declaration of an emergency, the grantee (state, territory or tribe), assisted by FEMA, conducts the Applicant Briefings for state, territorial, local, tribal and private non-profit (PNP) officials to inform them of the assistance available and how to apply for it.  A Request for Public Assistance must be filed by the grantee within 30 days after the area is designated eligible for assistance.  Following...

On January 2, 2016, President Obama signed an emergency presidential declaration for the state of Missouri. He ordered federal aid to help both state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions of the New Years flooding across the state. This action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts for a variety of affected counties across the state. For the complete list of counties, visit: www.FEMA.gov . Debris removal and emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding. KFVS12 News Federal Funds for Emergency Protective Measures FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated are...

While flooding has affected many areas of the state of Missouri this week, one place that got hit hard was the St. Louis area. Local and regional authorities are scrambling to keep water off the roads and away from property in the metro area. Both the Meramec and Mississippi Rivers reached record high levels. Big Bags USA® is on the scene and ready to help!  Vally Park By 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Meramec River at Valley Park was 2 feet above the record high and is expected to keep rising. Residents in levee-protected areas of south St. Louis County were asked to evacuate on Wednesday. City officials however, stated that the levee is expected to hold. Fenton In the nearby city of Fenton, the overflowing river managed to knock out a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District treatment plant, as well as shut down many roads including part of I-44. Water also spilled into the World Wide Technology Soccer Park, home of the Saint Louis Football Club. Luckily, crews had moved eq...