DATE: Updated
NO: HQ-11-180
CONTACT: FEMA Region III News Desk
PHONE: 571-422-1870
News Release
PRESIDENT DECLARES DISASTER FOR VIRGINIA
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Virginia to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Irene during the period of August 26-28, 2011.
Federal funding is available to commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene in the counties of Essex, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Middlesex, New Kent, Richmond, Southampton, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York and the independent cities of Chesapeake, Emporia, Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties independent cities in the commonwealth.
Donald L. Keldsen has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. Keldsen said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.
Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.
Fact Sheet
FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA DISASTER RECOVERY
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Virginia.
Assistance for the Commonwealth and Affected Independent Cities, Local, Tribal Governments Can Include as Required:
- Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, commonwealth administered.)
- Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, commonwealth administered.)
How to Apply for Assistance:
- Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
