President Barack Obama last night declared a major disaster exists in Colorado and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Boulder County. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Boulder County. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator of FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, named Michael J. Hall as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance on Monday by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. MST seven days a week until further notice.
MEDIA CONTACT: FEMA news desk at (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV.
