FEMA AWARDS $23.6 MILLION TO REPAIR ENERGY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN OKLAHOMA

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".

NORTH DAKOTA SPRING FLOODS NEARLY $400 MILLION IN DISASTER ASSISTANCE

THe following is an excerpt from the FEMA website:

"BISMARCK, N.D. – More than $396 million in federal and state disaster assistance has now been obligated to North Dakotans for this year’s spring flooding, and so far 1,037 Temporary Housing Units (THUs) have been occupied on private and group sites by residents working toward permanent housing plans.

By Oct. 20 close of business, 10,213 individuals had registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $238,292,000 in low-interest disaster loans to residents and businesses. The deadline for applying for FEMA assistance and SBA loans is Nov. 21.

FEMA's Public Assistance program has awarded more than $61.3 million for 1,134 approved infrastructure projects, including emergency services, debris removal and school repairs. Individual assistance funds approved are more than $94.5 million for repairs, rental assistance and other needs.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), funded by FEMA and administered by Job Service North Dakota, has provided more than $1.88 million to residents who are unemployed because of the flood disaster.

Additionally, $817,611 has been allocated for a state-managed crisis counseling program to help individuals and communities cope with after-effects of the disaster."

VT GETS OVER $72 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FLOODS AND TROPICAL STORM IRENE

The following excerpt is from the FEMA website:

"ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – Federal authorities have provided more than $72 million in financial assistance to Vermonters who were impacted by this spring’s floods and Tropical Storm Irene in August.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, that figure includes $23.1 million in FEMA aid to individuals and families, $31.2 million in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans, and another $18 million in FEMA aid to the state, towns, and other entities for infrastructure repair.

“FEMA and its state, federal, and local partners will continue to support Vermonters in 2012,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo. “We know that a lot of people are still hurting despite all that we’ve done, and we are going to be here as long as it takes to finish the job.”

The combined totals for the spring floods and Tropical Storm Irene are:

• 8,418 registrations have been received.
• Approximately $23.1 million in grants approved for individuals and families

-   $21.4 million for home repairs or replacement and rental assistance

-   $1.7 million for other needs

-   157 individuals received the maximum possible housing grant of $30,200

-   4,035 individuals and families have been approved for housing assistance

• More than $18 million has been obligated in Public Assistance funding for the four declared disasters, which includes both spring flooding and Tropical Storm Irene.
• More than $31.2 million has been approved by U.S. Small Business Administration in low-interest disaster loans

-   $18.8 million in home loans

-   $12.4 million in loans to businesses

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations in designated counties to apply for federal funds to pay at least 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, buildings and utilities.

Currently, FEMA estimates that there will be nearly 4,300 projects with a total cost of more than $168 million eligible to receive Public Assistance funding.

“Virtually every corner of Vermont has been affected, and we know there is still much work to be done in 2012,” said Vermont Emergency Management Interim Director Peter Coffey. “As we move into the long-term recovery phase, the state will not only continue to work with federal, local and private partners in repairing the damage caused by Irene but plan for how to mitigate it in future disasters.”