President Declares Major Disaster For Massachusetts
Release Date: January 5, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-003
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and flooding beginning on December 11, 2008, and continuing.
Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and flooding in the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
FEMA Administrator David Paulison named Mark H. Landry as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Landry said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are complete.
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 21:03:25