March 4, 2010
Not sure why this is happening now.
Yesterday, he declared that “a major disaster exists in the District of Columbia” in reference to a snowstorm on Dec 18-20. And that federal funding is available for “emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm”.
What kind of damage took place?
There was no ice – just regular old snow.
And how does an emergency EXIST now – 70 some days after a simple snowstorm?
It seems totally bogus, especially with this:
Federal funding is also available for hazard mitigation measures.
What are hazard mitigation measures?
FULL TEXT OF DECLARATION FOLLOWS
District of Columbia Disaster Declaration
[emphasis added]
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the District of Columbia and ordered Federal aid to supplement the District’s recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of December 18-20, 2009.
Federal funding is available to the District of Columbia and certain private nonprofit organizations emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm.
In addition, assistance is available to the District of Columbia on a cost-sharing basis for emergency. protective measures, including snow assistance, for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the District of Columbia.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Regis Leo Phelan as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the District of Columbia and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-3272.
