Public Assistance Teams Help Local Infrastructure
Release Date: January 12, 2008
Release Number: 1734-039
» More Information on Washington Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Lacey, Wash. -- Federal and State Public Assistance coordination teams are out in the field meeting with state, local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations (PNPs), assessing their needs and gathering data for preparing Project Worksheets for grant funding by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Through the PA Program, FEMA provides supplemental Federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of PNP organizations. The PA Program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.
In Washington, 12 counties have been designated to receive Public Assistance: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum. The Federal share of assistance is 75% of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration. The State determines how the non-Federal share is split with the local entity or PNP.
Federal and state officials announced today that the first Public Assistance money has been obligated to Thurston County for a temporary road bypass for a washed out culvert. The initial estimate of public infrastructure damages for designated counties in the state of Washington is over $83 million. This initial grant is just the beginning of federal-state assistance for public entities and PNPs.
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, 14-Jan-2008 09:10:24