FEMA Awards $9.8 Million For Galveston City And County Debris Work
Release Date: April 21, 2009
Release Number: 1791-476
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AUSTIN, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated more than $7.7 million in grants for the city of Galveston and $2 million for Galveston County for debris removal operations following the Hurricane Ike disaster.
"These grants demonstrate FEMA's commitment to help Texans remove mountains of unsightly and unsafe debris and hazardous waste from their communities, and to get the work done right," said Federal Coordinating Officer Brad Harris.
FEMA earmarked a total of $7,790,002 to pay the city of Galveston's bills from Beck Disaster Recovery to monitor the removal of debris and hazardous waste. A $2,059,541 grant was awarded to Galveston County for debris clean-up and disposal.
Since Hurricane Ike hit the upper Gulf Coast more than seven months ago, FEMA has been reimbursing 100 percent of the total cost of debris removal operations in eligible areas, at a cost to date of more than $360 million. More than 98 percent of the debris has been cleaned up in areas eligible for federal assistance.
Once FEMA reimburses the state of Texas, further management of the funds, including disbursement to organizations performing the services, is the responsibility of the state. The obligated funds are a portion of nearly $774 million in total Public Assistance disaster funds sent to the state since September 2008.
"Hurricane Ike hit Galveston Island and the county especially hard, and debris removal has been a major undertaking," said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun. "These federal grants will help support Galveston's efforts to get back to normal."
FEMA responds to all eligible requests for assistance through the Public Assistance (PA) program. For PA information by county, go to www.fema.gov/ike and click on the Disaster Statistics button.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disaster.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 21-Apr-2009 10:08:49