Local Governments Must Apply This Week For Federal Disaster Assistance
Release Date: February 25, 2008
Release Number: 1741-005
» More Information on Kansas Severe Winter Storms
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit entities that provide essential government services have until Saturday, March 1 to apply for federal disaster grants for the Dec. 6-19 severe winter storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) are partnering to help communities in 60 counties pay for debris removal, emergency services and other eligible work necessitated by the storm.
Since this storm did not meet the federal qualifications for individuals, the meeting will only address reimbursements for local government and eligible non-profit organizations, and will not address personal or business losses.
Under the presidential disaster declaration, FEMA's Public Assistance program pays 75 percent of eligible costs. The State of Kansas is paying 10 percent, with the local applicant responsible for the remaining 15 percent.
Any applicant who believes they may be eligible should contact their county emergency management official to complete a Request for Public Assistance. To date, 530 applicants have submitted Requests for Public Assistance including state agencies, local governments and private nonprofits.
FEMA's Public Assistance program was authorized in 60 Kansas counties by the Feb. 1 presidential disaster declaration. The counties are Atchison, Barber, Barton, Brown, Butler, Chase, Cherokee, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Comanche, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Ford, Geary, Graham, Harvey, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Kingman, Kiowa, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Miami, Mitchell, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Smith, Stafford, Wabaunsee, Washington, and Woodson.
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, 25-Feb-2008 16:36:22