FEMA Designates Six Virginia Counties Eligible For Public Assistance
Release Date: August 9, 2001
Release Number: 1386-16
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Tazewell, VA -- Federal disaster funds have been made available for six counties in southwestern Virginia to help local governments rebuild public property damaged by late July severe storms and local flooding, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the assistance was approved following a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials.
"Ensuring that vital community services are restored as quickly as possible is part of our continuing commitment to help the Commonwealth of Virginia achieve a full and lasting recovery," Allbaugh said.
The counties now eligible for public assistance are: Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, and Wise. Affected local governments in the designated counties are eligible to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.
The funds were authorized under the amended major disaster declaration issued by President Bush on August 1, and made available through FEMA's public assistance program for state and local governments.
Procedures for requesting the assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings to be conducted by state and federal disaster officials at locations to be announced shortly in the affected counties.
Last Modified: Thursday, 09-Oct-2003 16:17:49