Five Additional MA Counties Affected by Tropical Storm Irene to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance

In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene’s walloping of the East Coast, four counties in Massachusetts were originally declared eligible for assistance from FEMA’s Public Assistance program: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire.

Now, Governor Deval Patrick has announced that President Obama’s Administration will expand FEMA assistance in the Bay State to include five more counties: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Norfolk and Plymouth.

“I would like to thank President Obama and his team at FEMA for expanding disaster assistance here in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Patrick. “This additional aid will help our communities recover from the damages caused by Tropical Storm Irene and rebuild stronger than before.”

Across the five Massachusetts counties that have recently become eligible for FEMA assistance, county leaders are expressing their gratitude for the action of state and federal authorities.

“Many Eastern Massachusetts communities had significant damage and losses from the hurricane,” the Norfolk County Commissioners Chairman, Francis O’Brien, told New England Post. “We appreciate the help of the Governor and Federal authorities in securing this assistance.”

Plymouth County Commissioner, Anthony O’Brien, told New England Post, “Plymouth County’s towns are grateful to all who worked so hard during the very destructive storm and are appreciative of the state and federal authorities providing assistance. Lessons learned have been shared so we will be best prepared next time.”

The disaster assistance for Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Norfolk and Plymouth Counties will be available to local government, state agencies and eligible private non-profits. FEMA will reimburse these organizations for 75 percent of the total eligible costs they put toward emergency measures and permanent restoration.

More specifically, such emergency measures and restoration include the repair or replacement of public infrastructure; technical and advisory assistance; and the contracts and personnel overtime related to emergency protective measures and debris removal.

“Tropical Storm Irene may seem like a distant memory for many, but for those communities suffering severe damage, residents are still dealing with the effects of the storm,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “These additional funds will help make the repairs necessary to make Irene a distant memory for all.”

Related posts:

1. Patrick-Murray Administration Secures Federal Relief For Massachusetts Farmers In 11 Counties Impacted By Irene
2. Obama Signs Mass. Disaster Declaration After Irene
3. Obama Signs Conn. Disaster Declaration After Irene
4. Irene Downgraded to Tropical Storm, Brings Supermarket Shuffle
5. Mass. Prepares for Possible Irene Impact

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Posted by erik devaney on Oct 21 2011. Filed under Featured - For home page featured article, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry