FEMA Backs $2.28 Million to Texas City for Rita Debris Removal

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a $2.28 million Public Assistance grant to the State of Texas to reimburse the city of Lumberton for removal of debris throughout the city resulting from Hurricane Rita.

The reimbursement covers eligible costs of removing an estimated 105,506 cubic yards of debris from public rights-of-way.

“We are glad to be working with the state and the municipalities to remove debris from their public rights of way,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman, FEMA’s top official for disaster recovery operations in Texas. “The sooner it is removed, the sooner Lumberton can get on its feet.”

“Debris removal is an important step in recovery,” said State Coordinating Officer Frank Cantu of the Texas Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM). “This will help Lumberton move forward.”

The federal funds are made available under FEMA’s Public Assistance program. The State of Texas administers the program. Eligible disaster-related costs are reimbursed to state and local governments.