Governor Rendell Hails Federal Approval of Winter Storm Disaster Assistance Request

Says Nearly $60 Million Will Be Made Available to Help Counties, Municipalities Recover Costs, Avoid Future Disasters

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each of the 27 counties for which the commonwealth requested federal financial assistance in the wake of February's devastating snow storms will receive some measure of help, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

The Governor said President Barack Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have approved hazard mitigation grants for all of the counties included in the initial request, as well as public assistance for 26 of those 27 counties.

In total, the Governor said this decision could result in nearly $60 million for county and municipal governments that are in need of financial assistance given the burden these snow storms placed on their budgets.

"The magnitude and severity of these snow storms were substantial and put an immense financial strain on towns, cities and counties across the state," said Governor Rendell. "The President's decision will help these local governments recoup much of the costs they incurred for responding to these record-setting snow storms."

The Governor said the 26 counties approved for public assistance could receive more than $50 million that can be used to reimburse costs associated with snow removal, emergency services, and overtime for emergency response personnel.

Up to $5.8 million could be made available for hazard mitigation projects in 27 counties to help prevent future damages from natural disasters or hazards.

Pennsylvania submitted its request for federal disaster declaration assistance in March, but continues to evaluate and collect information on the costs incurred by other counties. That data could be relayed to FEMA for subsequent consideration.

Governor Rendell also has asked President Obama to grant a waiver that would make more counties eligible for assistance and help those that have already applied for greater reimbursements. The waiver would exempt Pennsylvania's counties from a federal criterion that limits assistance claims to a continuous 48-hour period. The cleanup work in many counties took much longer than 48 hours.

Governor Rendell said the waiver request is still pending a decision.

For more information, visit www.pema.state.pa.us.

Media contacts:

Ruth A. Miller (PEMA); 717-651-2009

Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's note: The counties approved for disaster assistance and mitigation grants are as follows:

Public Assistance: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Philadelphia, Somerset, Westmoreland, and York.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Philadelphia, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland, and York.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor