FEMA Increases UTMB Funds to $73 Million
Release Date: January 2, 2009
Release Number: 1791-356
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AUSTIN, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a total of $73 million in funds for the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) on Galveston Island.
In December, FEMA announced $39.6 million in funds had been obligated as an advance to repair the damaged university complex. An additional $33.4 million was added on Jan. 2, 2009. The total funds in the package amount to $73 million, according to acting Federal Coordinating Officer Brad Harris.
"FEMA recognizes the urgency to quickly respond to the damages caused by Hurricane Ike," said Harris.
All told, some 750,000 square-feet of the UTMB complex's ground-floor facilities were flooded. Water rose as high as 6 feet, requiring 36 consecutive hours of pumping. Repairs include restoring heating and air conditioning systems, telecommunications, document recovery, equipment replacement and electrical wiring.
Public Assistance grants, paid through the state, are targeted to local governments and certain nonprofit organizations with the final goal of helping communities recover from disasters. These grants are one way to return tax dollars to the local communities when the need is the greatest.
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: Monday, 05-Jan-2009 08:22:32