Federal Disaster Funds Authorized For Hawaii Flood Damage 

Release Date: February 2, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-013

» More Information on Hawaii Severe Storms and Flash Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal disaster funds have been made available for Hawaii to help local governments in the city and county of Honolulu recover from the effects of flash flooding that struck the area late last year, the head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today

Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the assistance was authorized by President Bush under a major disaster declaration issued following a review of FEMA’s analysis of the state’s request for federal aid. The declaration covers damage to public property from severe storms and flash flooding that occurred on October 30, 2004.

After the declaration, Brown designated the city and county of Honolulu eligible for federal funds to pay the state and affected local governments and certain private non-profit organizations 75 percent of the approved costs for the restoration of damaged facilities. The funding also covers eligible state and local government costs for debris removal and emergency services related to the disaster.

In addition, federal funding will be available to the city and county of Honolulu on a cost-shared basis for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks, Brown said. He indicated that additional designations may be made later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Michael Karl of FEMA was named by Brown to coordinate federal recovery operations. Karl said that procedures for requesting assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings at locations to be announced shortly in the affected area.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-Feb-2005 14:56:54