Hickenlooper has made 27 visits to 18 counties that had flood damage to meet with community and business leaders. The governor encourages community and business leaders to continue to work with the state and federal government to rebuild quickly and better. Additionally, the governor submitted the FY 2014-15 budget request that includes funds for recovery efforts from wildfires and floods.
Town of Lyons Recovery Efforts
As of last Friday, Nov. 1, the Town of Lyons no longer has a boil-water advisory and the waste water treatment plant has resumed operations. Nearly 90 percent of the town now has wastewater sewer service through permanent or temporary solutions, and the remaining 10 percent expect to have service within the next two weeks.Recovery Office Efforts
More than 1,200 Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Office of Emergency Management (OEM), National Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers continue to collaborate to address the needs of Coloradans impacted by the September flooding:CDOT and the National Guard reopened U.S. 36 between Lyons and Estes Park on Monday, Nov. 4 — nearly one month ahead of schedule.
89 percent of damaged state and federal roadways are now open, with the remaining on track for opening by Dec. 1.
FEMA approved a third extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program that pays for eligible flood evacuees to stay in temporary housing. FEMA, Office of Emergency Management, and Division of Housing are working with impacted families and individuals to have more permanent housing solutions by Thanksgiving.
The U.S. Small Business Administration approved $57.3 million in low-interest disaster loans to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations that have experienced physical or economic injury. SBA loan applications are due by Nov. 30.
As of this week, FEMA Public Assistance obligated an additional $10.9 million in funding to applicants in the 20 counties eligible for Public Assistance. Deadlines for applications are Nov. 16 for counties approved in September and Nov. 20 for counties added in October.
The deadline for FEMA Individual Assistance applications was extended to Nov. 30 for people in the 11 counties approved for Individual Assistance. Total funding allocated to date is $46.7 million and, as of this week, 26,000 people have applied and 15,000 applications have been approved.
