May 09, 2008   SENATOR COLLINS ANNOUNCES THAT FEMA HAS DECLARED AROOSTOOK COUNTY DISASTER AREA, OPENING DOOR FOR ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY FLOODING   Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Susan Collins applauded a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Aroostook County, Maine affected by the severe flooding that affected it and many of the surrounding counties. Senator Collins recently toured the affected region and spoke with FEMA’s director, David Paulison to request that the decision regarding the declaration be made as quickly as possible. Such a declaration opens the door for federal assistance to those individuals who were affected by the flooding. Senator Collins, who is Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee which oversees FEMA, released this statement: “I am grateful that FEMA acted so quickly to declare Aroostook County eligible for Individual Assistance. I recently saw first-hand the devastation that the flooding caused the County. And as a native of the County, I have not ever seen such extraordinary damage to so many homes, buildings, and infrastructure in our state. I also appreciate that FEMA was prompt in sending Public Damage Assessment Teams to the area to quickly survey the damage over the past several days. Having seen the damage first-hand, I will support the anticipated request from Governor Baldacci’s office for Public Assistance for Aroostook and surrounding Counties. Public Assistance funds will allow these communities to begin rebuilding schools, police stations, bridges and other infrastructure damaged by the flooding. “My heart continues to go out to the amazing residents of Aroostook County, who have endured so much over the past few days, and are working so hard to get back on their feet. And I commend the local, county, and state officials who are working so hard to recover from this terrible flooding. It is my hope that this federal assistance will help in that effort.” ###   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 May 2008 Press Releases   May 27 - GAO RELEASES NEW REPORT ON STATUS OF PORT SECURITY IN THE U.S.   May 19 - SENATOR COLLINS SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO FREEZE ETHANOL MANDATE   May 16 - SENATOR COLLINS ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR PORT SECURITY IN MAINE   May 15 - MORE PREPARATION FOR NUCLEAR TERROR ATTACK NECESSARY TO SAVE LIVES   May 13 - SENATOR COLLINS ANNOUNCES RE-OPENING OF VAN BUREN PORT OF ENTRY   May 12 - SENATOR COLLINS CALLS FOR REOPENING OF VAN BUREN PORT OF ENTRY   May 9 current Press Release   May 7 - SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING TO EXAMINE WHETHER EMPHASIS ON FOOD-BASED FUELS IS CAUSING FOOD PRICES TO INCREASE
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510