Tazewell And Buchanan Counties Designated For Public Assistance
Release Date: May 8, 2002
Release Number: 1411-04
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Wise, VA -- Disaster assistance for Tazewell and Buchanan counties has been expanded to include aid for local governments affected by the catastrophic floods in Virginia, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the additional assistance was approved following a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials. Under the original declaration issued by President Bush on May 5, the counties were designated for aid to individuals, families and business owners.
"Our continuing commitment is not only to help meet the recovery needs of devastated families and businesses," Allbaugh said, " but to ensure that the vital community services they also depend on are restored as quickly and efficiently as possible."
Under the expanded assistance, Allbaugh said affected local governments and certain private non profit entities 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.
Procedures for requesting the assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings at locations to be announced shortly by state and federal disaster officials.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Aug-2003 16:40:39