Federal Disaster Funds Marked for Alaska to Aid Local Government Storm Recovery

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 Alaska to help local governments in the North Slope Borough recover from the effects of a recent severe winter storm.

Michael Brown, under secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said President Bush authorized the aid under a major disaster declaration issued following a review of FEMA’s analysis of the state’s request for federal assistance. The declaration covers damage to public property from the storm that occurred over the period of Jan. 7-12.

After the President’s action, Brown designated the North Slope Borough 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 restoration of damaged facilities.

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

William Lokey of FEMA was named by Brown to coordinate the federal relief effort. Lokey 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.