Federal Disaster Aid Ordered For Virginia Winter Storm 

Release Date: February 28, 2000
Release Number: 1318-01

» More Information on Virginia Winter Storm

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal disaster funds were made available today for Virginia to supplement state and local response efforts to the crippling winter storm that occurred over the period of January 25-30, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA Director James Lee Witt said President Clinton authorized the assistance under a major disaster declaration issued this afternoon. Under the declaration, Witt said the state and local governments in 103 jurisdictions are eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved cost for debris removal, emergency services related to the storm, and restoring damaged public utilities.

The jurisdictions designated for the assistance include the cities of Alexandria, Colonial Heights, Emporia, Fairfax, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Hopewell, Petersburg, Richmond, Va., Suffolk, Williamsburg, and the counties of Accomack, Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charles City, Charolette, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Highland, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Montgomery, Nelson, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, RICHMOND, Va., Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Surry, Sussex, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, Wythe and York.

Witt said the declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks. He indicated that additional jurisdictions may be designated for aid later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Stephen Emory of FEMA was named by Witt to coordinate the federal relief effort. Emory said that procedures for requesting assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings at locations to be announced shortly in the affected areas.

Last Modified: Friday, 14-Nov-2003 11:18:57