Updated at 6:25 p.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Hawaii to get FEMA aid for December storm damage
Advertiser Staff
Hawaii is likely to receive more than $2.5 million in federal money for damage caused by storms that pummeled the Islands in December, following a major-disaster declaration from President Bush today.The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide 75 percent matching funds for repairing and replacing public facilities on the Big Island, Kauai and Maui, including roads, bridges, utilities, schools or parks, that were damaged by strong winds, high surf, flooding and mudslides Dec. 4 through Dec. 7.
Federal aid is available to state and eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations. Money also is available on a cost-sharing basis for statewide hazard-mitigation measures.
The storm that tore through the Islands in December brought driving rain and winds of more than 70 mph that knocked out power to thousands and forced about 100 school closings statewide.
A FEMA team will arrive on Monday to meet with Civil Defense, the counties and various government agencies to determine where they will need to go and what they will need to see. They will be accompanied by Kenneth R. Tingman, who has been named federal coordinating officer for the recovery operations.
"We were really pleased," Ray Lovell, Civil Defense spokesman, said today. "(The response) came about very quickly ... To get this through to the White House and signed, and to FEMA in that period of time, is very good."
