President Bush OKs aid for December storms, floods.
Oxford and Franklin counties were declared eligible Thursday to receive federal aid for damage caused by December storms.
The announcement was made by the entire Maine congressional delegation and Gov. John Baldacci, who had all written President George W. Bush asking to have a disaster declared for six counties. The other counties to receive aid are Kennebec, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo.
“This disaster declaration triggers the release of federal emergency funds to help these communities recover from the storms,” according to the statement from Sen. Olympia Snowe, Sen. Susan Collins, Rep. Tom Allen and Rep. Michael Michaud.
The period covered by the declaration is from Dec. 11 to Dec. 31. During that time there were two snowstorms, each followed by a thaw and heavy rain. Rivers jammed by ice rose and flooded areas in Canton, Bethel, Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield and Farmington.
Towns in the affected counties had reported numerous road washouts and damage to public buildings and water and sewer utilities.
Major roads such as routes 2 and 26 were closed in spots and local roads were under water.
Oxford County Emergency Management Agency Director Dan Schorr explained that the declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse communities for up to 75 percent of the cost of damages to public property.
Costs eligible for reimbursement include: emergency debris removal and emergency protective measures; permanent work including repair of roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities and parks, recreational facilities and other public items and places.
The declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.
No private property is covered by the declaration.
Schorr said to qualify for the aid, damage had to total at least $1.4 million. According to information provided by Baldacci, the state estimated damage at $1.5 million.
Schorr said towns affected by the storms would be meeting Wednesday to begin the process of filing for reimbursement.
The exact amount requested by the towns will not be known until the paperwork is finalized. Towns have 60 days to submit paperwork.
jsmedley@sunjournal.com
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