MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley announced Thursday that five
additional counties will be eligible for public assistance that is geared
toward helping
communities recover from damage caused by Hurricane Isaac.
The announcement covers Covington, Dallas, Geneva, Monroe and Perry Counties.
Damage assessments completed this week confirmed the five counties suffered
more than $2.5 million in combined damages from Isaac. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency approved the addition of these counties to the list
of counties that were already able to apply for federal public assistance.
Previously,
Mobile, Baldwin and Pickens Counties
were approved to apply for public assistance. The public assistance for
all eligible counties could include, but is not limited to, debris removal;
emergency protective measures; and the repair, replacement, or restoration of
disaster-damaged, publicly-owned facilities and
the facilities of certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations.
“The approval of public assistance
for more counties will go a long way in helping communities recover from
Isaac’s impact,” Governor Bentley said. “Many areas are still dealing
with the aftermath of flooding and other forms of severe weather. Public
assistance will help local governments with the costs of cleanup and recovery.
We appreciate the work of state and federal emergency managers in helping these
communities recover.”
“The Alabama Emergency Management
Agency will work with local officials to seek reimbursement for costs associated
with the response to and recovery from the effects of Hurricane Isaac,” added
Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner.