President Declares Major Disaster For Hawaii 

Release Date: January 5, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-002

» More Information on Hawaii Severe Storms and Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Hawaii to help people and communities recover from the effects of severe storms and flooding during the period of December 10-16, 2008.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush.  The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the City and County of Honolulu.

The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organization on a cost-sharing basis for the City and County of Honolulu and Kauai County.  In addition, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Tribal nations statewide.

Paulison named Kenneth R. Tingman as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Tingman said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are complete.

The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice.

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, 05-Jan-2009 21:38:04