PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR TROPICAL STORM ISELLE

News Release from the Office of the Governor September 12, 2014

HONOLULU – In response to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s request for federal aid to supplement state and local Tropical Storm Iselle recovery efforts, President Barack Obama today signed a Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. In the meantime, since a Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance was rejected last month, the state and Hawaii County continue to gather sufficient additional information to justify a successful appeal.

“We are working together to support the County of Hawaii’s needs to prepare for another possible disaster as a lava flow threatens to impact and isolate several communities in the Puna District,” Gov. Abercrombie said.

Today’s Presidential Disaster Declaration allows for assistance for emergency work and repair or replacement of public facilities that received damage on Aug. 7-9, 2014. It also allows for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to assist all counties.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be assisting local agencies in disaster recovery actions.

Small, nonfarm businesses in Hawaii County are currently eligible to apply for low interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Background: FEMA Rejection Shows Lack of Leadership by Schatz