FEMA Public Assistance Added for Smith County in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas—Federal disaster assistance to Texas for the October severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding has been expanded to include Smith County in Texas for FEMA Public Assistance (PA).

There are now 17 counties designated for Public Assistance under the Nov. 25 declaration for severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring Oct. 22-31. Other counties designated for Public Assistance include Bastrop, Bosque, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Hidalgo, Hill, Jasper, Liberty, Navarro, Newton, Travis, Willacy, Walker and Wilson.

Local and state government agencies and certain private nonprofit organizations, such as utilities and schools in PA designated counties, may now request supplementary FEMA PA reimbursements for disaster repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other eligible facilities damaged in the October disaster.

FEMA reimburses a minimum of 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects, which can include debris removal and emergency protective services, such as police overtime for extra work caused from responding to the disaster. State Public Assistance personnel will conduct a briefing for applicants on how to prepare projects for submission.

FEMA ensures that all projects meet environmental quality standards and gives final approval for all projects. The federal share goes directly to the state, with the applicant paying the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to eligible applicants when documentation is complete.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit our disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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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.