Washington, DC, October 6, 2010 -- FEMA Region 3 Administrator MaryAnne Tierney in the FEMA Studio. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Windsor, NC, October 5, 2010 -- FEMA, State, and County inspectors conduct a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) on a business that has had floodwater damage caused from heavy rains produced by Tropical Storm Nichole. FEMA is supporting the State and Local governments in these assessments to provide information for the Governor. FEMA photo/Tim Burkitt photographer.

Windsor, NC, October 5, 2010 -- FEMA Representative Don Daniels holds a press conference with local television stations to explain FEMA'S role in conducting a Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA's) on homes and businesses damaged by heavy rains produced by Tropical Storm Nichole. FEMA is supporting the State and Local governments in these assessments to provide information for the Governor. FEMA photo/Tim Burkitt photographer.

Portage, WI, October 6, 2010 --Chad Hammack, a FEMA Public Assistance specialist(left) works with members of the Wisconsin Emergency Management team to determine if the Portage Green River lake trail will be eligible for federal assistance. FEMA is working with local and state agencies doing damage assessments. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Trempealeau County, WI, October 5, 2010 --Pete Stolley, a FEMA Public Assistance specialist inspects a county road bridge that was damaged during a flooding incident in late September. FEMA is working with the state and local officials to determine if the damages to roads and bridges is enough to qualify for federal assistance. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Independence, WI, October 5, 2010 --Robert Baecker(left) the mayor of Independence, WI talks with Loris Ristow, the Wisconsin Emergency Management agency and Pete Solley, a FEMA Public Assistance specialist about the damage that his town suffered when the town was flooded in late September. FEMA is working with local and state agencies to determine if the state is eligible for federal assistance. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Arcadia, WI, October 5, 2010 -- Pete Stolley, a FEMA Public Assistance specialist inspects a water pump assembly that was repaired after it was damaged after flooding in Arcadia, WI. FEMA is working with local and state officials to determine whether the state of Wisconsin will be eligible for federal assistance to repair roads and bridges damaged by flooding. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Arcadia, WI, October 5, 2010 -- A FEMA Public Assistance team is filmed by a local TV station while they assess the damage to a small bridge in Arcadia, WI. FEMA is working with local and state officials to determine whether the state of Wisconsin will be eligible for federal assistance to repair roads and bridges damaged by flooding. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Arcadia, WI, October 5, 2010 -- Pete Stolley, a FEMA Public Assistance specialist is filmed by a local TV station while he assess the damage to a small bridge in Arcadia, WI. FEMA is working with local and state officials to determine whether the state of Wisconsin will be eligible for federal assistance to repair roads and bridges damaged by flooding. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Arcadia, WI, October 5, 2010 -- Karrie Jackelen(l), a staffer from Congressman Ron King, D-WI listens to Holly Stephens, a FEMA Congressional specialist explain the Public Assistance damage assessment process in Arcadia, WI. FEMA is working with local and state officials to determine whether the state of Wisconsin will be eligible for federal assistance to repair roads and bridges damaged by flooding. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Arcadia, WI, October 5, 2010 --Wisconsin Department of Transportation employees measure the depth of a hole which will be filled to support a bridge that was damaged by flood waters in late September. FEMA is working with local and state officials to determine whether the state of Wisconsin will be eligible for federal assistance to repair roads and bridges damaged by flooding. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Rural Sheridan County, ND, September 23, 2010 -- Rather than replacing a series of damaged power lines (left), Verendrye Electric Cooperative installed solar panels (far right) to power a livestock well. The cost-effective project received funding from FEMA's Public Assistance program, which helps local governments and certain private non-profits, like Verendrye Electric, repair or replace damaged infrastructure. Brian Hvinden/FEMA

Rural McHenry County, ND, September 23, 2010 -- Rather than replacing expensive infrastructure damaged during an early spring ice storm, Verendrye Electric Cooperative installed these solar panels to power a livestock well. The cost-effective project received funding from FEMA's Public Assistance program, which helps local governments and certain private non-profits, like Verendrye Electric, repair or replace damaged infrastructure. Brian Hvinden/FEMA

Rural Sheridan County, ND, September 23, 2010 -- Rather than replacing expensive infrastructure damaged during an early spring ice storm, Verendrye Electric Cooperative installed these solar panels to power a livestock well. The cost-effective project received funding from FEMA's Public Assistance program, which helps local governments and certain private non-profits, like Verendrye Electric, repair or replace damaged infrastructure. Brian Hvinden/FEMA

Arcadia, WI, October 5, 2010 --Pete Stolley, a FEMA Public Assistance specialist discusses expenses with a the Arcadia, WI transportation manager. FEMA is working with local and state officials to determine whether the state of Wisconsin will be eligible for federal assistance to repair roads and bridges damaged by flooding. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

Washington, DC, October 5, 2010 -- FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate and Acting US Fire Administration (USFA) Administrator Glenn Gaines speak with Alexandria Fire Chief Adam Thiel at the FEMA Fire Prevention Week Fair at FEMA Headquarters. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Washington, DC, October 5, 2010 -- FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate stands with the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents during the FEMA Fire Prevention Week Fair at FEMA Headquarters. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Washington, DC, October 5, 2010 -- FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate looks over the Mt. Weather Firetruck at the FEMA Fire Prevention Week Fair at FEMA Headquarters. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Emmitsburg, MD, October 3, 2010 -- FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate is joined by Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines, the Honorable Doctor Dorothy Robyn Deputy Under Secretary of Defense and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (MD 6) for a laying of the 2010 Presidential Wreath during the 2010 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. With over 6000 family, firefighters and general public in attendance, 105 firefighters were remembered for their ultimate sacrifice paid in service to their communities and fellow residents. This is the first year that military firefighters have now joined the over 3400 firefighters already on the Memorial Wall. FEMA/Bill Green

Washington, DC, September 27, 2010 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino speaks with members of the private sector during a meting at FEMA headquarters. To his right is Elizabeth Zimmerman FEMA Assistant Administrator of the Recovery Directorate. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Washington, DC, September 29, 2010 -- Participants gather before the first FEMA hosted Latino Leadership Summit at FEMA Headquarters. The objective is to bring together business and community leaders of Latino communities from all over the United States to discuss how we can all come together to help meet the needs of our entire communities with preparedness and assistance messaging before and after disaster strikes our communities. L to R Alex Amparo FEMA Senior Advisor, Andrew Velasquez III Regional Administrator for Region V, Gwen Camp FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs, William L. Carwile, III Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Washington, DC, September 29, 2010 -- FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate speaks at the first FEMA hosted Latino Leadership Summit to bring together business and community leaders of Latino communities from all over the United States to discuss how we can all come together to help meet the needs of our entire communities with preparedness and assistance messaging before and after disaster strikes our communities. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Washington, DC, September 29, 2010 -- FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate speaks at the first FEMA hosted Latino Leadership Summit to bring together business and community leaders of Latino communities from all over the United States to discuss how we can all come together to help meet the needs of our entire communities with preparedness and assistance messaging before and after disaster strikes our communities. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Blue Earth County, MN, September 29, 2010 --Jerry Whale, a FEMA Individual Assistance specialist (l) and Brian Curtice,the Minnesota Emergency Management Agency representative talk to a resident about the damage assessment process. FEMA and the MN EMA are conducting damage assessments to determine if the state will be eligible for federal assistance. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA