FEMA Issues Federal Action Plan for Puerto Rico Hurricane Georges Recovery
Release Date: February 23, 1999
Release Number: 1257-061a
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the release of a federal action plan ordered by President Clinton for the long-term recovery of families and communities in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Georges.
FEMA Director James Lee Witt said the strategy was developed by the President’s Long-Term Recovery Task Force. “The federal family has joined with the Government of Puerto Rico in a common bond to avoid a repeat of the extreme hardships endured by individuals, families and business owners as a result of Hurricane Georges,” said Witt, who led the task force. “By taking these actions, we will be moving closer to achieving our goal of rebuilding sustainable and disaster-resistant communities for the future.”
The report, presented to Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Rosselló by President Clinton in a meeting yesterday, concentrates on federal recovery efforts in five major areas: housing, mitigation, economic revitalization and sustainability, transportation and infrastructure.
The long-term recovery priorities are:
- Housing: Repair existing homes, address long-term shelter needs, replace destroyed homes, restore public housing and provide technical assistance and training in rebuilding smarter, safer and stronger.
- Mitigation: Incorporate mitigation into all aspects of the recovery process. Three general areas of emphasis are strengthening building codes, improving planning and coordination, and improving floodplain management.
- Economic Revitalization and Sustainability: For agriculture, provide financial assistance for crop and physical losses, expand agricultural insurance coverage and provide financial and technical assistance for conservation measures to reduce flooding and erosion. For non-agriculture, provide community development planning assistance to more effectively implement long-term recovery, support small business recovery, encourage new investment and promote flood insurance coverage for homeowners, renters and businesses.
- Energy: Provide resources to repair transmission and distribution lines and recommend design improvements for these factors, provide emergency generators to have in place when the next disaster strikes and provide technical assistance and guidance for developing a more reliable electrical system.
- Transportation and Infrastructure: Continue to provide for repair of damaged roads and bridges, develop a reliable power source for the San Juan mass transit “Tren Urbano” project and dredge harbors to maintain safe channels.
The Action Plan includes 57 specific actions that federal departments and agencies are implementing to do everything under their legal authorities to facilitate a well-coordinated and rapid recovery. Examples of actions that go beyond the types of assistance normally provided include the following:
- FEMA extended three times the time period during which Puerto Rico received emergency direct federal assistance at 100 percent federal funding. Extensions such as these are rare and are made only when a disaster results in extraordinary emergency needs.
- FEMA increased the maximum amount of grants for home repairs provided under its Disaster Housing Assistance program from $10,000 to $25,000 per home.
- FEMA, through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), is providing funding equal to 15 percent of FEMA’s estimated total disaster costs for Hurricane Georges. The Government of Puerto Rico has made the “New Safe Housing Program” a priority for the allocation of the HMGP funds. Total HMGP funding for Hurricane Georges is estimated to be $190,000,000.
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) agreed to accept the Government of Puerto Rico’s small business disaster loans as interim financing. This allows SBA loan recipients to receive more immediate disaster assistance and to repay Government of Puerto Rico small business disaster loans with SBA funds.
- The Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) committed $1 million to Puerto Rico’s Economic Development Bank for a revolving loan fund assistance program. The program will provide a local source of financial assistance for business recovery.
- The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service Agency provided Puerto Rico with satellite imagery and aerial photographs to assist in reforestation efforts and the protection of beaches and coral reefs.
- The Department of Labor (DOL) provided the Government of Puerto Rico with a grant of up to $2.4 million to train and employ dislocated workers. The training will prepare participants for jobs in the construction industry to assist in disaster-related repair and rebuilding efforts.
In addition to these special measures, federal resources remain focused on supporting Puerto Rico in the five long-term recovery priority areas.
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Executive Summary rom The President's Long-Term Recovery Action Plan for Puerto Rico -- 207 KB
Last Modified: Friday, 16-Jan-2004 11:10:11