Gov. Bob McDonnell today asked for federal disaster assistance to help 28 Virginia communities recover from the affects of Hurricane Sandy, an extremely large storm that brought high winds, heavy rains, coastal erosion and tidal flooding to the eastern portion of the Commonwealth and dropped significant snowfall in the west and southwest. Sandy caused three tragic deaths in Virginia.
The governor requested federal aid through FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program for Accomack County. If approved, the Individual Assistance Program makes funding available for homeowners and renters in the form of grants and low-interest loans as well as disaster housing assistance. The governor also requested disaster unemployment assistance and legal services.
“More than 240 homes were damaged in the Saxis, Sanford and Messongo areas of Accomack County, and most of the damage is not covered by insurance. That is a significant impact to the residents of those communities and federal assistance is critical in helping them recover,” said McDonnell.
The governor also requested FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for the counties of Accomack, Arlington, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Essex, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, King and Queen, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Mathews, Middlesex, Nelson, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince William, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Surry, Warren, and Westmoreland and the cities of Fairfax, Falls Church and Manassas.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program would make funding available to reimburse state and local governments for costs associated with response and recovery efforts, such as debris removal and related emergency services. If the governor’s request is approved, and if sufficient damage information is collected, then other localities could be added to the declaration.
In addition, Governor McDonnell requested Hazard Mitigation Assistance for all Virginia localities. The Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program helps local and state governments take actions to reduce the impact of future disasters, such as elevating homes in flood zones, flood-proofing businesses and other measures.
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