The following excerpt is from the Federal Emergency Management Agency website:
"DENTON, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded more than $23.6 million to the state of Oklahoma for repair work on Harmon Electric Association’s power distribution system. Ice and high winds damaged the system during a severe winter storm in early 2010.
The funding covers re-wiring upgrades to meet code compliance, as well as the installation of taller and mid-span power poles in Beckham, Greer, Harmon, Jackson and Kiowa counties.
“We are committed to helping Oklahoma recover from this severe winter storm,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell. “Electricity is a key component for the rebuilding of a community, so it’s imperative that power distribution systems are in good working order before another disaster strikes.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program funds represent the federal government’s 75 percent cost share of the total estimated $31.5 million project. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Oklahoma; the state then forwards the grant to the eligible applicant.
The purpose of FEMA’s Public Assistance program is to provide assistance to eligible state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards".
