STATE OF VERMONT WILL RECEIVE MORE AID TO COVER COSTS OF TROPICAL STORM IRENE

FROM:  FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMTN AGENCY
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. -- The State of Vermont, municipalities, and some non-profit groups will be getting more federal money to reimburse them for costs incurred during Tropical Storm Irene and the subsequent clean up and repairs.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that President Obama has approved Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin’s request for the federal government to reimburse applicants for 90 percent of the eligible costs to repair or restore infrastructure damaged by Irene instead of the standard 75 percent.

“This announcement marks a major milestone in our recovery from Tropical Storm Irene,” Governor Shumlin said. “It will mean significant savings for municipal budgets across the state, and for the state budget as well. We are incredibly grateful to President Obama and the Congressional Delegation, and also to FEMA for this welcome news.”

“We hope that this will help the state and its communities in their ongoing recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer James N. (Nick) Russo, the head of FEMA’s mission in Vermont. “We know that Vermont and its towns and cities are working as hard as they can to repair damage, and we’re working hard to get them their money.”

The FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program provides funding to repair roads and bridges, put water systems and electric utilities back in order, rebuild libraries and replace damaged books, repair hospitals and emergency services, rebuild schools and universities, and pay for other infrastructure restoration statewide.

It also reimburses communities and certain private non-profits for expenses associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures like search and rescue operations, and the cost of eliminating public safety or health hazards, like removing animal carcasses or demolishing unsafe buildings.

FEMA’s PA program typically reimburses 75 percent of the eligible cost of these projects, with the state and municipality sharing the remainder.

However, according to FEMA’s regulations up to 90 percent reimbursement is permitted if actual federal aid to a state for a disaster, minus FEMA’s administrative costs, meets or exceeds $127 per person.

With a population of 625,741 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that means if the actual cost of FEMA aid to the state exceeds $79,469,107 the state becomes eligible for 90 percent reimbursement, at the discretion of the president.
So far FEMA has obligated, or paid to the state, approximately $64.7 million in reimbursement for Public Assistance projects related to Tropical Storm Irene, as well as $22 million in Individual Assistance to individuals and families for losses.
The increased reimbursement will be provided to both completed projects and those in process. It will not apply to projects related to the spring 2011 flooding.

To learn more visit: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

WEST VIRGINIA TO RECEIVE $6.8 MILLION IN DISASTER AID

FROM:  FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- More than $6.8 million in federal funds have been approved for residents and businesses in West Virginia recovering from the recent storms and flooding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $4.48 million in grants to individuals and households in need of assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and businesses for more than $2.37 million.

Five Disaster Recovery Centers, staffed with state and federal disaster-assistance experts, were set up in Lincoln, Logan, Marion and Wayne (2) counties to help guide survivors through the recovery process and to answer questions about state and federal programs. The last operating DRC, in Logan, is set to close at noon on Friday, May 11.

Nearly $1.3 million in additional funds have been requested through FEMA's Public Assistance Program, which shoulders at least 75 percent of the costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair and replacement of publicly owned buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure damaged in the storms and floods. Help also might be available under the program for certain nonprofits that provide services of a governmental nature, like private schools, hospitals, volunteer fire departments and utilities.

Those affected by the storms and floods of February 29 through March 5 have until May 15 to register with FEMA for assistance. For those who suffered loss or damage from the flooding of March 15 through March 31, the deadline to register is May 21. Call FEMA's Help Line at 800-621-3362 or log onto DisasterAssistance.gov. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. To register via any web-enabled smartphone or other PDA, log onto m.fema.gov.

Counties designated for FEMA's Individuals and Households Assistance Program are Harrison, Logan, Lincoln, Marion, Mingo, Preston, Taylor and Wayne. Counties designated for Public Assistance Program are Doddridge, Harrison, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mingo, Monongalia, Preston, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor and Wayne.

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.

FEMA SAYS RENTERS CAN GET DISASTER AID AS WELL AS HOMEOWNERS

FROM:  FEMA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia renters who lost their homes or personal property as a result of the recent storms and flooding may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, officials said today.

FEMA's Individual and Households Program offers housing assistance to renters that includes funds to rent alternative housing for a limited period of time while repairs are made to their dwelling.

Renters may also be eligible for Other Needs Assistance, designed to help survivors with uninsured but necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. ONA money may be used for:

• Disaster-related medical and dental expenses;
• Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, including household items such as room furnishings or appliances, and tools and equipment required by the employer for their work; and
• Primary vehicles and approved second vehicles damaged by the disaster.

• Residents of any of the four West Virginia counties eligible for individual assistance are urged to apply as soon as possible.  The counties are Lincoln, Logan, Marion and Wayne.

Registering with FEMA is quick and simple. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621- 3362,
TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual assistance is available by phone. The toll-free line is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week until further notice. 

Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to "apply online for federal assistance."

The deadline to apply is May 15 for Marion, Wayne and Lincoln counties and May 21 for Logan County.

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.