Tennessee Seeks Millions For Storm Damage
Release Date: May 29, 2003
Release Number: 1464-41
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Nashville, TN -- State and local governments and private nonprofit agencies in 51 declared Tennessee counties are seeking more than $54 million in federal assistance to help them recover from the costly damage caused by May's severe storms.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently processing applications from state and local government agencies and eligible nonprofit organizations under its Public Assistance program, which helps pay to restore essential public facilities and services following a declared disaster.
Most are seeking reimbursement of emergency spending for debris removal, restoration of publicly owned infrastructure and overtime pay for police and other public employees called out due to the storm emergency.
Among the requests are $17 million for debris removal, more than $4 million for emergency protective measures (police, public employees, immediate actions to restore critical facilities), and $33 million to restore or replace damaged infrastructure.
"These applicants were hard hit by the extraordinary cost of restoring services and safeguarding the public," said Michael Bolch of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), federal coordinating officer for recovery operations. "Public assistance steps in when such unexpected expenses exceed the reach of local budgets."
FEMA has already approved $12.4 million in assistance to more than 8,700 individuals and families whose homes and businesses sustained damage in the storms.
Public assistance became available when President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for Tennessee counties on May 8. FEMA pays 75 percent of eligible project costs.
Last Modified: Friday, 30-May-2003 09:19:37