FEMA: Nearly $5 Million In Public Assistance Earmarked For Orange County, Texas

May 26, 2009 -- TEXAS CITY, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has earmarked nearly $5 million to Orange County for emergency protective measures and operations to clean up debris in the Hurricane Ike disaster.

"Because of public health and safety concerns, FEMA has placed a high priority on funding debris-removal operations in the Hurricane Ike disaster," said Federal Coordinating Officer Brad Harris. "Federal assistance will contribute significantly to Orange County’s clean-up efforts."

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FEMA awarded a $3,184,321 grant to pay contractors for the removal and disposal of vegetative and other debris, as well as to monitor debris-removal operations. Another grant totaling $1,741,119 was awarded to reimburse Orange County for emergency measures by the county Sheriff’s Department. Those measures included relocating prisoners and evidence, evacuating residents countywide ahead of the storm, as well as work to make roads passable following the storm’s landfall.

Because the projects were carried out during the eligibility periods for 100 percent federal reimbursement, FEMA is reimbursing the total cost of both the protective measures and the debris-removal operations.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Texas, further management of the funds, including disbursement to organizations performing the services, is the responsibility of the state. The obligated funds are a portion of the more than $958 million in total Public Assistance disaster funds sent to the state since September 2008.

"These federal grants will help relieve Orange County of the enormous financial burden caused by this disaster," said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun.

FEMA responds to all eligible requests for assistance through the Public Assistance program. For more information by county, go to www.fema.gov/ike and click on the Disaster Statistics button.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

Source: FEMA