FEMA Approves $3.1 Million to Danville Area School District for damages caused by Tropical Storm Lee 

Release Date: June 7, 2012
Release Number: NR-142

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Commonwealth recently provided a $3,176,028.54 grant to the Danville Area School District to repair or replace damaged buildings and equipment to the Danville Middle school caused by the effects of Tropical Storm Lee. The grant represents a 75 percent federal share and a 25 percent Commonwealth share of the project costs.

The school experienced heavy flooding throughout the facility with more than 90,000 square feet flooded extensively throughout the first floor. Floodwaters, which ranged anywhere from six inches to six feet deep, were responsible for extensive damages to the gym/stage floor, wall panels and windows, chalk boards, lockers, doors, 7500 feet of urethane indoor athletic flooring, cabinets, 800 unit metal bleachers, HVAC controls, equipment and pipes, and various other school-related equipment.

More than $1 million of the grant has been allocated for mitigation projects, designed to alleviate future damages to the middle school. In addition, some of the other hazard mitigation projects to be performed include the installation of 48 inch high walls and 76 inch removable gates at each exterior entry/exit doors; removing all vinyl tile flooring and replacing it with epoxy-type floor covering; and the removal and relocation of HVAC units and through-the-brick-wall HVAC vents.

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program, funding is provided to the Commonwealth, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.

FEMA is responsible for managing the program, approving grants, and providing technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program, and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants, and managing each project funded under the program.

To date, more than $65.5 million has been obligated to the Commonwealth by FEMA under the federal PA program. Assistance is expected to top $200 million.

Information on FEMA’s PA program is available at http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

Last Modified: Friday, 08-Jun-2012 15:18:51