President Declares Major Disaster for Idaho Following Storms

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that federal disaster aid has been made available for Idaho to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and flooding from Dec. 30, 2005 through and including Jan. 4, 2006.

Acting FEMA Director R. David Paulison said federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and flooding in Owyhee County.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Paulison named Dennis Hunsinger as the Federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Hunsinger said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.