CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published 03-Feb-2011

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Wednesday (February 2) announced that an emergency exists and ordered federal disaster aid to Oklahoma to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm beginning on January 31, 2011 and continuing.

Action by President Barack Obama authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all 77 counties in the State.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

Kevin L. Hannes has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. Hannes said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR STATE OF OKLAHOMA EMERGENCY

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

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

    *      FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.

    *      Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding.