Obama Gives OK for FEMA Assistance; Triangle Included

Obama Gives OK for FEMA Assistance; Triangle Included

By WYDaily Staff Sunday, September 04, 2011

Governor Bob McDonnell announced Saturday that President Barack Obama has granted a request for federal assistance to state and local governments in Virginia for recovery from Hurricane Irene.

The declaration makes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program available to cover eligible government and certain nonprofit costs for damage to critical infrastructure, roads, buildings and equipment, debris removal and related emergency services.

“I want to thank FEMA for making a quick decision on our request for disaster assistance,” said Governor McDonnell. “I expect to pursue additional disaster assistance once our damage assessments are complete.”

Eligible localities include James City and York counties, as well as Williamsburg. Others included are the counties of Essex, Isle of Wight, Lancaster, Middlesex, New Kent, Richmond, Southampton, Sussex and Westmoreland; and the cities of Chesapeake, Emporia, Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach.

FEMA indicated that additional localities may be added at a later date after further evaluation. Damage assessments for additional localities are underway. Federal disaster assistance funds are awarded through a reimbursement process that can take months, and in some cases, years.

In addition to the Public Assistance Program, the governor's office announced Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds were approved for the entire Commonwealth. The Hazard Mitigation program provides funds for government projects that help reduce disaster risks by protecting homes and businesses against future damage.

Virginia has not yet requested federal assistance for individuals or businesses. Federal, state and local are still evaluating damage to homes and private property. A decision to pursue disaster assistance for individuals and businesses will be made next week.

Comments

+2 #8 Guest 2011-09-05 19:01

WOW I just read another article on WYDaily that shows an example of the 'line'...here is an article that describes how the federal bailout for homeowners is back out and available with fresh new taxpayer money......so let me get this ... the government incents the banks, and in some cases REQUIRES the banks to lend lend lend, in some cases to get families that cannot afford to be homewoners into homes ANYWAY, and now we have to pay AGAIN to bail them out. THIS IS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO NOT BE.

http://www.wydaily.com/local-news/7203-feds-extend-homeowner-assistance-program.html

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+1 #7 Guest 2011-09-05 15:52

In the case of obvious needs like battleships and highway infrastructure, etc., there NEEDS to be a common form of governance that allows for its financing....ce rtainly having states have their own armies navy, etc., is at odds with a Republic's structure and its first responsibility: protecting the populace. The Eisenhower road system is a great example of another....I am not sure of the financing structure of it, but it aided in intra state commerce and was of obvious benefit to the country as a nation. There is likely the test. Where the burden of a project is too great, (financially), AND it beneifts the nation of the nations interests it makes good sense. I don't think anyone would argue that FEMA is ineffective. Its charged with too much and needs to be focused.

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+6 #6 Guest 2011-09-05 07:18

Quoting roger8:

WOW, what a bunch of morons. The Tea Party is not about the lack of compassion. Its about MINIMIZING the governments impact. Where local or state money can be enough to handle things like this no fed money but if its needed where scale is scale, then yes. No tea party patriot would deny that some things, VERY LITTLE that is, require a collaborative effort.....but these comments here are RUDE disgusting and show a total lack of regard of KNOWLEDGE. You are all unable to see anything through your haze filled hatred for what you THINK the tea party is. You are, in a word, pathetic.

Where were YOU and the rest of your "patriots" during Government's wildly expensive and unnecessary forays into Iraq, Afghanistan, Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, and Medicare D prescription drug benefits? Talk about maximizing scale of expenses!

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+3 #5 Guest 2011-09-05 01:14

to Roger8:
My comment's attempt was to be satirical, not rude. But it does bring up the question, WHEN is receiving federal $ stepping over the boundry? Folks who continuously say "Government is the problem" & then have their 'hands out' appear hypocritical.
You mention ".. MINIMIZING the governments impact". Does that include new aircraft carriers & subs, road construction, scientific research, & military base expenditures too? If you say YES, I'd call you a man of your word.
BTW, Virginia ranks at the top for fed $ received (per capita).

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-10 #4 Guest 2011-09-04 20:20

WOW, what a bunch of morons. The Tea Party is not about the lack of compassion. Its about MINIMIZING the governments impact. Where local or state money can be enough to handle things like this no fed money but if its needed where scale is scale, then yes. No tea party patriot would deny that some things, VERY LITTLE that is, require a collaborative effort.....but these comments here are RUDE disgusting and show a total lack of regard of KNOWLEDGE. You are all unable to see anything through your haze filled hatred for what you THINK the tea party is. You are, in a word, pathetic.

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+13 #3 Guest 2011-09-04 16:45

Wonder if the local JCC Tea Party darling will refuse this money too, or become more of a hypocrite than she already is.

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+1 #2 Guest 2011-09-04 11:13

McDonnell, Cuccinelli, Cantor, and the rest of the Far Right GOP want their cake and eat it, too. No to the Federal Government except when it directly benefits us, our interests, and our political fortunes. How selfish and un-American.

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+5 #1 Guest 2011-09-04 10:05

How dare Obama grant a request for Federal assistance to OUR area!! Big Government getting involved in our lives again. As a Tea Party patriot, I should be outraged (strange thing though, I only feel outraged when it goes to somebody else). I'm so confused, what would Sarah say?

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