Galveston County to Receive Additional Assistance for Infrastructure 

Release Date: October 1, 2008
Release Number: 1791-069

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expanded disaster assistance to Galveston County to help pay for repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of public facilities, roads and bridges, water facilities and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ike.

After further review of damages and assessments, Galveston is now eligible for all categories of FEMA Public Assistance as well as Individual Assistance.

Under the cost-share program, FEMA Public Assistance reimburses 75 percent of the cost for eligible work by state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations that provide public services. The state manages the grants for all projects. The remaining 25 percent non-federal share comes from state and local sources.

President Bush declared a major disaster declaration for Texas on Sept. 13. Public Assistance categories A and B, for debris removal and emergency protective measures are available to Galveston and 28 additional counties: Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington. 

Additionally, President Bush authorized 100 percent reimbursement of the cost of debris removal and emergency protective measures for the first 14 days after the disaster declaration.

Individual Assistance is available for homeowners, renters and businesses in the same 29 counties. All counties within the state of Texas are eligible to apply for assistance under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Program. Further information is available through the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM).

More information is available online at www.fema.gov or www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem. 

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: Thursday, 02-Oct-2008 08:29:04