***Lycoming, Tioga Counties Eligible for Federal Disaster Relief Funding***
July 14, 2011
Washington, D.C. – President Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from the severe storms and flooding that occurred April, according to Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard.
Federal disaster assistance is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). As a result of the disaster declaration, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance.
“Federal assistance for emergency work and the repair of disaster-damaged facilities was clearly needed,” said Thompson. “These storms have had a devastating impact and our local communities of Central Pennsylvannia have suffered greatly. This support will go a long way to help with recovery, without unduly impacting family and municipal budgets.”
In June, Thompson joined with Representative Tom Marino (PA-10) in sending a joint letter to President Obama requesting for federal disaster assistance for Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Wyoming counties, reiterating an initial disaster declaration request made by Governor Tom Corbett.
HMGP provides grants to States and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
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