Joint State/Federal Assessment Teams Visit Flood-Damaged Communities
Release Date: October 17, 2006
Release Number: R10-06-041
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are deploying joint State/Federal Preliminary Disaster Assessment (PDA) Teams this week to several Alaskan communities affected by the strong storm system that caused severe flooding damage starting October 8, 2006.
On Saturday, Alaska Governor Frank H. Murkowski signed a State Disaster Declaration for the Kenai Peninsula Borough including the cities of Seward and Seldovia, the Chugach Rural Education Attendance Area including the City of Cordova and the City of Valdez, and the Copper River Rural Education Attendance Area including the Richardson Highway to Glennallen and highways and drainages in the McCarthy areas. The declaration approves funding for State Public Assistance and State Individual Assistance Disaster Recovery Programs and will allow the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to expedite work on the highways, bridges, and drainage systems damaged by the storm. The State Public Assistance Program is designed to help public infrastructure components recover from disasters while the Individual Assistance Program brings aid to individuals and families who suffered damage or losses to real and personal property.
The PDAs will assess damage to private homes and property as well as public facilities and infrastructure, and according to DHS&EM Director David Liebersbach, three PDA teams consisting of representatives from the DHS&EM, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration will assemble today in Anchorage prior to deploying to Seward, Valdez, Cordova, and other affected areas Tuesday morning to begin assessments.
"Our joint PDA teams will be working closely with local officials to visit and inspect damaged areas and document the damages incurred," said Liebersbach. "It's a partnership effort designed to provide a realistic estimate of the extent and locations of damage."
Department of Homeland Security FEMA Acting Regional Director Dennis Hunsinger agrees. "The PDA doesn't try to determine the total cost of the recovery," said Hunsinger. "We look at the overall scope of damages to establish if recovery is beyond the capabilities and resources of local and state governments."
FEMA manages Federal response and recovery efforts following national incidents. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with local and State emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Oct-2006 08:21:15