FEMA Adds Sixteen Counties and An Indian Reservation For Disaster Assistance; Others Get Increased Aid
Release Date: April 24, 2009
Release Number: 1829-037
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Bismarck, N.D. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved additional federal funding for several counties and two Indian reservations in North Dakota.
Altogether, 43 counties and 3 Indian reservations have now been approved for a wide range of Public Assistance programs, which fund 75 percent of eligible expenses incurred by state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.
In addition, 33 counties and 2 Indian reservations have now been approved for Individual Assistance, making available federal funds for emergency housing repair, emergency rental assistance, disaster unemployment assistance and other programs for individuals and families.
Public Assistance
Among the 43 counties now approved for all Public Assistance programs, 31 had already been declared eligible for reimbursement for 75 percent of eligible expenses for emergency protective measures.
Those counties included in the original March 24 declaration for emergency measures and now eligible for a broader range of Public Assistance programs are Adams, Barnes, Benson, Burleigh, Cass, Cavalier, Dickey, Dunn, Emmons, Foster, Grand Forks, Grant, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Nelson, Oliver, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Sioux, Stutsman, and Walsh. Also in this category are two Indian reservations: the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota, and the Spirit Lake Reservation.
The 12 newly declared counties eligible for all categories of Public Assistance are Bottineau, Bowman, Eddy, Griggs, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Steele, Towner, Traill, Ward and Wells. Also in this category is the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation.
Individual Assistance
Among the 33 counties now approved for Individual Assistance, 26 had already been declared eligible. They are Adams, Barnes, Billings, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Mercer, Morton, Nelson, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill and Williams.
The seven newly declared counties eligible for Individual Assistance are Grant, McHenry, Oliver, Pierce, Stark, Walsh and Ward. Also included in the new additions are the Spirit Lake Reservation and that part of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota.
The Individual Assistance declaration also makes available low-cost disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for qualified homeowners, renters and business of all sizes.
Hazard Mitigation
Federal 75 percent funding has also been made available to all counties in the state for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for public projects that make communities more disaster-resistant. FEMA also allows applicants for Public Assistance to obtain funding for mitigation as part of disaster repairs. For example, a sewer pipe might be increased in size as it is being replaced to handle more storm runoff.
To register for FEMA disaster assistance, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
For more information on North Dakota disaster recovery operations, visit http://www.fema.gov/midwestfloods.
Last Modified: Friday, 24-Apr-2009 20:58:38