$1.1 Million In Federal Disaster Aid For Vermont
Release Date: July 2, 2007
Release Number: 1698-002
» More Information on Vermont Severe Storms and Flooding
WINDSOR, Conn. -- More than $1.1 million in federal aid is obligated to help Vermont communities recover from damage and destruction caused by severe storms and flooding in April, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"These Public Assistance grants are being used for 75 projects in 35 Vermont localities, helping not only to rebuild public infrastructure, but also, where feasible, to improve roads, bridges, buildings and other facilities so that they will be better able to withstand future severe weather," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Parker.
The storms of April 15-21 caused heavy rain and snow and high winds across Vermont leading to considerable utility and road damage. On May 4, the president declared a major disaster, which made federal assistance grants available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in eight heavily impacted counties - Bennington, Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, Windham and Windsor.
FEMA Public Assistance grants cover 75 percent of the cost of approved repair, reconstruction and mitigation projects with the remaining 25 percent coming from state and local agencies.
"These grants go a long way toward helping Vermont communities repair or replace our roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, and other publicly-owned property," said Vermont Emergency Management Director Barbara Farr. "We look forward to continuing to work with FEMA to restore and improve our infrastructure."
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, 02-Jul-2007 14:28:11