FEMA Approves Public Assistance Reimbursements
Sam Houston, Lamar University, Port Neches to Benefit
Release Date: May 10, 2006
Release Number: 1606-211
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal disaster aid in the form of Public Assistance has been made available to reimburse the State of Texas for disaster relief. The State of Texas administers FEMA's Public Assistance program under which eligible and documented disaster-related costs are reimbursed to state and local government units. FEMA has obligated funds for the following projects:
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, $5,783,225 for debris removal along 3,419 circuit miles of line; $18,830,834 for staff labor from 12 electrical cooperatives and 27 electrical contractors for repairs to damaged lines, both as a result of Hurricane Rita.
Lamar University , $1,951,692 for repair and mitigation measures for the Mary & John Gray Library, including $46,900 in roof upgrades.
City of Port Neches, $1,089,044 for emergency protective measures taken in advance of Hurricane Rita to minimize damages
FEMA's Public Assistance reimbursement program is one way federal assistance gets to the state and local governments and to certain private nonprofit organizations. These reimbursement grants allow them to respond to disasters, to recover from their impact and to mitigate impact from future disasters. While these grants are aimed at governments and organizations their final goal is to help a community and all its citizens recover from devastating natural disasters.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 11-May-2006 07:01:22