President Approves Emergency Declaration for Mass. Following Storms

Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director R. David Paulison announced that President Bush declared an emergency exists in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The emergency declaration allows Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local response efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on Oct. 7, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Bristol County.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

Paulison, named Peter Martinasco as the Federal coordinating officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.