Contact: Barbara Riley
Wednesday, August 27, 2008

NEW HAMPSHIRE – U.S. Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu (R-NH) today announced their support of the Governor’s request to the White House for public disaster assistance to aid Granite State communities affected by severe storms in July and August.  Towns in Belknap, Grafton and Coos Counties sustained severe damage to critical public infrastructure due to flash flooding, flooding and high winds during these storms.  The requested federal funding would provide support and financing to help these communities make necessary public infrastructure repairs. 

The letter also voices the Senators’ support for individual assistance for counties affected by the July 24^th tornado, including: Belknap, Carroll, Rockingham, Strafford and Merrimack.  These five counties were approved for public federal assistance, but at this time individual assistance for homeowners, renters, and businesses has not been approved.

Full text of the letter follows:

August 25, 2008

The Honorable George W. Bush

The White House

Washington, DC   20500

Dear President Bush,

We are writing to express our support for the State of New Hampshire’s request for a major disaster declaration to provide public assistance for three New Hampshire counties under the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

During the period beginning July 24 through August 14, 2008, flooding, flash flooding and high winds caused extensive damage to public infrastructure in Belknap, Grafton and Coos Counties.

Preliminary damage assessments conducted by FEMA on Tuesday, August 12, clearly demonstrate that the destruction to public infrastructure in these three counties exceeds the threshold for assistance. The damage in the affected communities is of such magnitude that it is beyond the capability of the State of New Hampshire and local government to meet the cost of rebuilding.

We also want to take this opportunity to urge reconsideration of the State’s request for individual assistance for the citizens in the counties included in the disaster declaration issued in the wake of the July 24 tornado.  Families and homeowners displaced and financially devastated by the impact of the tornado simply do not have the resources to rebuild their homes and lives.

On behalf of the people of New Hampshire and their communities, we ask for your timely attention and approval of these requests.

                                                            Sincerely,

Judd Gregg                                                                             John E. Sununu

U. S. Senator                                                                           U.S. Senator

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