MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – In response to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s Oct. 24 request for federal aid to supplement local emergency protective measures in response to the June 27th lava flow, President Barack Obama today signed a Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance.

Today’s Presidential Disaster Declaration allows for emergency protective measures under the Public Assistance Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to assist Hawaii County.

Emergency protective measures undertaken by Hawaii County include the repair, restoration, and re-establishment of alternate routes in and out of affected communities. State efforts include measures to accommodate approximately 900 schoolchildren that will be displaced by the lava flow, and support to county requests for additional air quality monitoring.

For updates on the Kilauea Lava Flow, visit the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency at hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts

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From FEMA

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of Hawaii to supplement to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō volcanic eruption and lava flow beginning on September 4, 2014, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures taken as a result of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō volcanic eruption and lava flow in Hawaii County.

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

Kenneth K. Suiso has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Suiso said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Federal aid programs for the State of Hawaii declaration

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Hawaii.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures (Category B) taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
• Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

• Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials.