President Obama Signs District of Columbia Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the District of Columbia and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Irene during the period of August 26 to September 1, 2011.

Federal funding is available to district 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 Hurricane Irene in the District of Columbia.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in the District of Columbia.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Kim R. Kadesch as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the district and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT:  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV (mailto:FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV)