County Gets Federal Funds For Snow-Related Expenses
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Federal disaster funds were made available Wednesday for 18 counties in Indiana, including Kosciusko County. The funds will supplement emergency response efforts to December's winter storms and record snowfalls in northern Indiana, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA Acting Director John W. Magaw said President George W. Bush authorized the assistance under an emergency declaration Wednesday. The declaration covers jurisdictions that were blanketed with record and near-record snowfall between Dec. 11 and Dec. 31.
"I applaud President Bush for taking swift action to provide relief to north central Hoosiers," said Congressman Steve Buyer, "who for the last month encountered extremely hazardous snow conditions. The federal government's relief will help the local and state officials in their efforts."
Magaw designated 18 counties, including Kosciusko County, as eligible for federal funding to pay part of the cost for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the storms.
Gov. Frank O'Bannon said, "On behalf of the people of Indiana, I am grateful to President Bush for granting this request. These storms resulted in one of the snowiest Decembers on record for northern Indiana and took a heavy toll on local and state equipment, manpower and finances. Federal assistance will enable local governments to continue snow removal efforts during the rest of the winter and perform needed maintenance and repairs this spring."
Under the emergency declaration, FEMA will reimburse local and state agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs - equipment, contracts and personnel overtime - related to emergency services in dealing with the snow over a 48-hour period. Related emergency protective measures, such as sanding and salting, search and rescue, shelter operations and police and fire department responses, also will be eligible for reimbursement.
The next step is for a FEMA team to link up with the State Emergency Management Agency. Together they will work with the affected counties, cities and towns to add up storm-related expenses. SEMA will help those units of government fill out the proper forms and provide the proper documentation for compensation.
Robert Colangelo, of FEMA, was named to coordinate the federal assistance in the affected areas. [[In-content Ad]]
Federal disaster funds were made available Wednesday for 18 counties in Indiana, including Kosciusko County. The funds will supplement emergency response efforts to December's winter storms and record snowfalls in northern Indiana, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA Acting Director John W. Magaw said President George W. Bush authorized the assistance under an emergency declaration Wednesday. The declaration covers jurisdictions that were blanketed with record and near-record snowfall between Dec. 11 and Dec. 31.
"I applaud President Bush for taking swift action to provide relief to north central Hoosiers," said Congressman Steve Buyer, "who for the last month encountered extremely hazardous snow conditions. The federal government's relief will help the local and state officials in their efforts."
Magaw designated 18 counties, including Kosciusko County, as eligible for federal funding to pay part of the cost for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the storms.
Gov. Frank O'Bannon said, "On behalf of the people of Indiana, I am grateful to President Bush for granting this request. These storms resulted in one of the snowiest Decembers on record for northern Indiana and took a heavy toll on local and state equipment, manpower and finances. Federal assistance will enable local governments to continue snow removal efforts during the rest of the winter and perform needed maintenance and repairs this spring."
Under the emergency declaration, FEMA will reimburse local and state agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs - equipment, contracts and personnel overtime - related to emergency services in dealing with the snow over a 48-hour period. Related emergency protective measures, such as sanding and salting, search and rescue, shelter operations and police and fire department responses, also will be eligible for reimbursement.
The next step is for a FEMA team to link up with the State Emergency Management Agency. Together they will work with the affected counties, cities and towns to add up storm-related expenses. SEMA will help those units of government fill out the proper forms and provide the proper documentation for compensation.
Robert Colangelo, of FEMA, was named to coordinate the federal assistance in the affected areas. [[In-content Ad]]