Action follows presidential declaration

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that meetings with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will take place Wednesday to begin coordinating federal disaster aid programs for 11 counties declared a major disaster by the president on Monday.  The counties include:  Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, Ottawa and Wexford. 

"The presidential declaration is the first step in helping the most severely impacted areas recover financially from the devastating weather that struck Michigan," said Granholm.  "The support of Michigan's congressional delegation played an important role in supporting our request for federal disaster aid for local and state government, and we are grateful for their support."

Following the meeting tomorrow, FEMA will open a joint field office (JFO) in Michigan to work with state and local officials to identify eligible projects for funding under the public assistance program.  Eligible projects include the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility or infrastructure that was damaged or destroyed by the disaster. 

Communities statewide are also eligible for the hazard mitigation assistance program to help reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards.  Mitigation measures can help reduce personal loss, save lives, and lessen the cost of responding to and recovering from future disasters.

"I strongly encourage communities to seize the opportunity for hazard mitigation assistance to enhance the safety of Michigan citizens," said Captain W. Thomas Sands, commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.  "With federal aid, our communities can initiate projects such as removing homes in floodplains, increasing the size of culverts and bridges, and building safe rooms in public facilities."

Saginaw County was included in Governor Granholm's original request to President Bush for a major disaster declaration for 12 counties; however, the public damage costs incurred in Saginaw County did not meet federal requirements.  The state of Michigan is further discussing the Saginaw County request with federal officials.

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