U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today released a statement urging the State of Michigan to appeal a decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency which denied Individual Assistance to families affected by severe flooding in the Upper Peninsula.
“I strongly disagree with FEMA’s decision to deny Individual Assistance to the residents of Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee counties who are still suffering after severe flooding,” saidSenator Stabenow. “I urge the State to appeal this decision so that residents who have been working tirelessly to get back on their feet will have the resources they need to rebuild and recover.”
This follows calls by Senators Stabenow and Peters for the Administration to approve a major disaster declaration for the three communities in order to provide federal assistance. Last week, recovery resources through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program became available to the affected communities. Since Public Assistance is only available to public facilities such as roads, culverts, and water and sewer systems, many homeowners are still in need of Individual Assistance to repair extensive damage to their homes.
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) denial of individual assistance in Houghton, Gogebic, and Menominee Counties following June flooding. FEMA previously declared these areas eligible to receive assistance through the Public Assistance Program:
“While swiftly repairing the roads is vital to the health of the community, the families whose houses have been severely damaged or destroyed also need help to rebuild their homes and their lives. I’m disappointed by this decision and will work with FEMA and the State of Michigan to identify any additional avenues for individual assistance. As the State continues to work closely with affected communities, I encourage them to identify any personal property damages that may not have been captured by the original damage assessment. Copper Country residents are resilient, but we must do everything in our power to ensure they have access to critical resources to address their needs before winter arrives.”
