Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Announces Springfield, Greene County Receive Reimbursement Checks from Ice Storm
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt announced today Springfield will receive $5.6 million and Greene County will receive approximately $850,000 to offset the debris removal costs incurred during the winter ice storm. Blunt requested the assistance following the January ice storms that left behind a trail of destruction and significant losses.
"I am pleased the federal government has fulfilled my request to compensate for the damages sustained during the devastating winter ice storm," Blunt said. "This financial relief will be helpful to our communities that suffered harsh consequences and a costly debris removal effort following this disaster."
An impacted county or city can submit invoices for partial reimbursement payment at any time after a disaster. However, before the reimbursement can be authorized, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) debris management team must validate the debris amount. This is done by either going to the debris disposal site or examining the invoices to determine the exact amount of debris hauled away to the disposal area.
In a Federal Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance, the federal government's monetary share of the damages is 75 percent, the local jurisdiction's share is 15 percent and the state pays the final 10 percent when the clean-up project is finished.