FEMA Awards Virginia Additional $2 Million For Ernesto Recovery
Funding brings total FEMA assistance for Tropical Storm Ernesto to over $38 million
Release Date: March 20, 2008
Release Number: R3-08-040
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- When Tropical Storm Ernesto roared ashore in Virginia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was quick to respond, helping state and local officials repair damaged public facilities. FEMA's commitment to Virginia's recovery has continued in the months following the storm, and today FEMA will provide an additional $2,034,728 for the state's recovery.
This funding - part of FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program - reimburses the state for administrative costs incurred managing the recovery efforts. This includes funds to train recovery staff, for project and grants management, audits, reports, and related field inspections.
"FEMA continues working with the Commonwealth to ensure a full and robust recovery," said Jonathan Sarubbi, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III. "These funds bring us ever closer to achieving that goal."
To date, FEMA has provided more than $38 million dollars in PA funds to aid Virginia in its recovery from Ernesto. FEMA's PA program provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance for the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private non-profit organizations. The federal share is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration. The remaining 25 percent is paid with non-federal funds determined by the Commonwealth.
The PA program is based on a partnership among FEMA, Commonwealth, and local officials. FEMA is responsible for managing the program, approving grants, and providing technical assistance to the commonwealth and applicants. The commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program, and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants, and managing the project funded under the PA program.
Additional information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 28-Mar-2008 14:04:39