FEMA/State of Maine Officials to Hold Flood Assistance Briefings 

Release Date: February 6, 2004
Release Number: 1508-001

» More Information on Maine Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Briefings have been scheduled to explain the process of applying for federal infrastructure assistance available for flooding caused by periods of heavy rain, snowmelt, and river ice jams that occurred in Maine from Dec.10-31, 2003, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials said today.

With President Bush's Feb. 5 declaration, six Maine counties became eligible for federal funding to pay affected local governments 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and the restoration of damaged public facilities. Federal funds will also be available to the state on a cost-shared basis for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.

"Procedures for requesting assistance, including eligibility requirements and the reimbursement process, will be explained at a series of briefings to be held next week," said James N. Russo, federal coordinating officer for the disaster. "FEMA wants to be sure that applicants receive all the assistance available to them under the law."

The schedule in each of the six declared counties (Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Waldo) is as follows:

KENNEBEC COUNTY
Monday, Feb. 9
1 p.m.
Hill House/Conference Room
125 State Street
Augusta, Maine

SOMERSET COUNTY
Tuesday, Feb. 10
9 a.m.
Communication Center
8 County Drive
Skowhegan, Maine

PISCATAQUIS COUNTY
Tuesday, Feb. 10
1 p.m.
County Courthouse
51 East Main Street
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 		OXFORD COUNTY
Wednesday, Feb. 11
9 a.m.
Paris Fire Station
137 Western Avenue
South Paris, Maine

FRANKLIN COUNTY
Wednesday, Feb. 11
1 p.m.
Farmington Fire Department, 2nd Floor
153 Farmington Falls Road
Farmington, Maine

WALDO COUNTY
Thursday, Feb. 12
9 a.m.
County EMA Office
45A Congress Street
Belfast, Maine

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Feb-2004 15:24:56