PORTSMOUTH, NH - More than $1.2 million in federal
aid has been disbursed to help New Hampshire communities recover from
last December's ice storm after the presidential disaster declaration
on January 2 made all ten counties eligible for federal assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New Hampshire
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) are
continuing to work to assist local recovery efforts in the state
through FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program. This program provides
funding to local governments and municipalities for the repair,
replacement, or restoration of public facilities, as well as costs
incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect
lives or property.
"We're pleased with the speed of the recovery process and are
engaged with the State to ensure assistance to New Hampshire
communities continues to flow as efficiently as possible," said Nick
Russo, FEMA's federal coordinating officer.
The federal share of eligible recovery costs is at least 75 percent,
while the remainder is split between the state and local government.
The PA Program is only activated following a presidential disaster
declaration and provides grant assistance to applicants including state
agencies, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations.
FEMA's PA Program may only provide assistance for projects that are
located in a disaster-declared area and are the legal responsibility of
an eligible applicant. The program cannot provide assistance for
projects that are under the jurisdiction of other federal agencies,
such as roads and bridges that are a part of the federal highway system
or facilities located on federal lands like wildlife refuges and
national parks
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for,
preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering
from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including
acts of terror.
