| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Kate Dwyer |
| January 24, 2001 |
(202) 225-3031 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Kate Dwyer |
| January 24, 2001 |
(202) 225-3031 |
FEDERAL DISASTER FUNDS WILL HELP WISCONSIN COUNTIES HIT BY WINTER STORMS Ryan Applauds President's Authorization of Assistance JANESVILLE, WI – First District Congressman Paul Ryan announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Acting Director has designated eleven Wisconsin counties eligible for federal funding to help pay the cost of emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of last month's winter storms. The counties eligible for assistance include the following First District counties: Green, Kenosha, Racine, Rock, and Walworth. According to FEMA, President Bush authorized the assistance under an emergency declaration issued this afternoon.
"Today's declaration is great news for the areas hit hard by last month's snowstorms," said Ryan. "This funding will help our cities and towns recover from the cost of coping with the severe winter storms that have hit our region and have made this a very hard winter for our communities."
According to a FEMA news release: "Under the emergency declaration, FEMA will provide reimbursement to local and state agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs of equipment, contracts, and personnel overtime related to emergency services in dealing with the snow for a 48-hour period. These are the crucial hours when work crews clear snow from emergency routes and roads to critical facilities to permit the passage of emergency vehicles. Related emergency protective measures such as sanding and salting, search and rescue, shelter operations, and police and fire department response will also be eligible for reimbursement."
On January 18, 2001, Ryan joined the other members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation in sending a letter to President Clinton that voiced strong support for Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson's request for an emergency declaration for the State of Wisconsin as a result of severe winter storms. A copy of the letter is attached.