FEMA Ok's $1.2 Million To Repay Raleigh For Ice Storm Costs
Release Date: April 14, 2003
Release Number: R4-03-38
Atlanta, GA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said today it would reimburse the City of Raleigh, N.C., $1,224,683 for outlays to clear city parks of disaster-related tree and limb damage caused by heavy ice storms in early Dec. 2002.
The federal payment represents 75 percent of eligible costs. The state of North Carolina will fund the remaining 25 percent, or $408,228.
Michael D. Brown, FEMA director and under secretary designee for the new Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security, said, "These funds represent our ongoing commitment to support community efforts to recover after a disaster. Through a lot of hard work, potentially hazardous downed trees and hanging limbs were removed from city-maintained parks in very short order."
The ice storm slammed North Carolina Dec. 4 through 6 and President Bush responded to the state's request for federal assistance with a major disaster declaration for 43 counties. During the siege of sleet and icy rain, the cumulative weight of ice caused numerous trees, heavy limbs and shrubbery to collapse throughout city parks. Debris removal work was done both by municipal forces and contractors hired by the city.
The reimbursement funds are authorized through FEMA's public assistance program administered by the State of North Carolina.
Eligible services include removal and disposal of debris, emergency protective services provided in the aftermath of a disaster and restoration or repair of public services.
Last Modified: Monday, 14-Apr-2003 15:49:01