Federal Disaster Funds Approved for Nev. Storms

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster funds have been made available for Nevada to help local governments in the counties of Clark and Lincoln recover from the effects of flooding rains that hit the area last January.

Michael Brown, under secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said President Bush authorized the assistance under a major disaster declaration issued following a review of the agency’s analysis of the state’s request for federal aid. The declaration covers damage to public property from heavy rains and flooding that occurred over the period of Jan. 7-13.

After the declaration, Brown designated Clark and Lincoln counties eligible for federal funding to pay the state and affected local governments and certain private non-profit organizations 75 percent of the approved costs for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities.

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

Philip Parr of FEMA was named by Brown to coordinate the federal relief effort. Parr 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.