WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Irene during the period of August 26-30, 2011.

Federal funding is available to commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene in the counties of Chester, Northampton, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties in the commonwealth.

Thomas J. McCool has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. McCool said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.

FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DISASTER RECOVERY

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Pennsylvania.

Assistance for the Commonwealth and Affected Local, Tribal Governments Can Include as Required:

· Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, commonwealth administered.)

· Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, commonwealth administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

· Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

• Return to Paging Mode