GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FLOOD AID ON ITS WAY

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTSEXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
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GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FLOOD AID ON ITS WAY
Financial Assistance Available for Individuals & Businesses in 7 Counties

BOSTON, MA – Governor Deval Patrick announced this evening that federal aid will become available to Massachusetts individuals and businesses hardest hit by the most recent flooding events. The assistance was authorized under a Major Federal Disaster Declaration issued by President Barack Obama after a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s analysis of Governor Patrick’s request for federal assistance for those most impacted by the flooding beginning on March 12, 2010 and continuing. The Massachusetts congressional delegation advocated strongly in support of the request.

The President’s action makes Individual Assistance (IA) Programs available to affected homeowners, renters and businesses in a 7 county area. The counties include Essex, Middlesex, Worcester, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth Counties. Given this week’s storm and anticipated flooding, the Governor will expand his request to cover any damage resulting from the ongoing weather event.

“I am thankful to President Obama for recognizing the havoc the storm and flooding has inflicted on communities across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Patrick. “Now that our request for a disaster declaration has been granted, critical federal aid can reach the individuals, families and businesses that need it the most. People dealing with effects of this week’s storm can rest assured we stand ready to make a request for additional assistance so they can get the help we anticipate they’ll need.”

The available Individual Assistance Programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) include Individuals and Households Programs (IHP), Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Legal Assistance, Tax Relief, and Small Business Administration Disaster Loans. This assistance will assist individuals and businesses in their recovery from the impacts of flooding.

Individuals and business owners, who sustained losses in the designated counties, can initiate the application for assistance process by calling the FEMA Teleregistration numbers: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired or registering on-line at www.fema.gov. The toll-free Teleregistration numbers will operate Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 1:00am, on weekends - Saturday and Sunday from 7:00am to 10:00pm, until further notice.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made.

For additional information about MEMA and Winter & Flooding Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.