Federal Dollars Help Texas Reduce Disaster Losses
More than $16 million obligated to protect both public and private property in Texas
Release Date: August 30, 2006
Release Number: 1606-243
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AUSTIN, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently awarded more than $16 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to the State of Texas for projects that will reduce the risk of disaster-related losses to life and property.
The recent HMGP grants include:
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$6 million to the Harris County Flood Control District to help pay for acquisition of 75-80 structures within the 100-year flood plain from willing sellers, and demolition or relocation of the structures.
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$2.53 million to Harris County to facilitate construction of approximately 1,000 National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA)-compliant safe rooms in new or existing homes. Homeowners may qualify for up to $2,500 assistance on safe-room construction cost.
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$2.83 million to the Walker County Mass Care Shelter for construction in Huntsville of a 14,400 square-foot shelter to accommodate as many as 1,200 people during a short-term event. The Huntsville area has been designated as the first evacuation point north of the Houston-Galveston metropolitan area.
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$1.92 million to the Amarillo Panhandle Regional Planning Commission to facilitate construction of approximately 750 National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA)-complaint safe rooms in new or existing homes. Homeowners may qualify for up to $2,500 assistance on safe-room construction cost.
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$1.87 million to the city of Pasadena to help pay for acquisition of 20 structures within a flood-prone area of Spencer Village from willing sellers, and demolition or relocation of the structures.
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$1.28 million to the city of Nacogdoches to facilitate construction of approximately 500 National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA)-compliant safe rooms in new or existing homes. Homeowners may qualify for up to $2,500 assistance on safe-room construction cost.
HMGP projects are identified based on their ability to provide a long-term solution to a recurring problem - for example, acquisition of real property from willing sellers and demolition or relocation of buildings to convert the property to permanent open space.
"FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants help create safer communities and reduce the loss of life and property," said Phillip Parks, FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Chief for the Texas Transition Recovery Office. "Mitigation priorities are identified by the state based on the extent of a project's ability to assist people or property out of harm's way."
FEMA funds HMGP grants at 75 percent of the project costs. Funds may be used to protect either public or private property or to purchase property that has been subjected to, or is in danger of, repetitive damage. A project's potential savings must be more than the cost of implementing the project.
Authorized under Section 404 of the Stafford Act, the HMGP provides funds to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. Grant funds may be used to fund projects that will reduce or eliminate losses from future disasters. These HMGP grants are under the disaster declaration for Hurricane Rita.
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: Wednesday, 30-Aug-2006 07:48:10