The White House on Monday announced that, in response to Governor Kay Ivey’s request, President Donald Trump has declared that a major disaster exists in the state of Alabama, as a result of Hurricane Michael.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Public Assistance Program will provide much-needed assistance to Geneva, Henry, Houston and Mobile Counties, all of which were affected by the category-four hurricane.
“I appreciate President Trump and FEMA for being responsive to our requests for assistance following Hurricane Michael,” Ivey said in a press release. “Alabama did not take the brunt of the storm damage, but many people in our state were affected. This public assistance will be very beneficial, especially to the small communities in the Wiregrass that have worked very hard to clear the debris and get power service back up for residents.”
This comes after Ivey pressed Vice President Mike Pence on the need for federal emergency resources as a result of the hurricane during their private meeting on Air Force Two in Birmingham last week.
“[The vice president] said that they were making progress in that regard, and he heard me loud and clear,” Ivey remarked immediately after that meeting.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program helps reimburse local governments, state agencies, eligible private non-profit organizations and electric co-operatives for certain expenses they have incurred during Hurricane Michael.
Under the program, state and affected local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved costs under certain categories such as debris removal and road repair related to the storm.
The White House noted that federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures across Alabama.
Alabama Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Brian Hastings expressed his appreciation for the supplemental federal assistance.
“We are so appreciative of the support we have received from FEMA, our Congressional Delegation and the President for the Governor’s request,” Hastings emphasized. “The Major Disaster Declaration is a huge step in the recovery process and represents the continuation of our strong partnership with FEMA and local governments to connect eligible applicants with Federal assistance to continue on their path to a better tomorrow.”
Representatives from the Alabama EMA’s Recovery Division will explain the procedures for requesting assistance at a series of applicant briefings at locations to be announced shortly in the affected areas.
In a tweet, Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) applauded the news from the White House.
“Excellent news! This morning, [President Trump] approved Alabama’s major disaster declaration request for the counties of Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile – allowing federal assistance for local recovery efforts following storm damage from Hurricane Michael,” Shelby commented.
Alabama’s senior senator was joined by the two congressmen from south Alabama in expressing support for the crucial disaster relief.
This morning, President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the State of Alabama, ordering federal assistance to supplement state & local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Michael. Thank you, @POTUS — we will rebuild together.
— Rep. Martha Roby (@RepMarthaRoby) November 5, 2018
Thanks @POTUS for approving Alabama’s disaster declaration from #HurricaneMichael. Our friends in the Wiregrass continue to cleanup from the powerful storm. pic.twitter.com/P4VVdARkE1
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) November 5, 2018
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
