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Water and Wastewater All-Hazards Boot Camp
Response
Response
Response
Understanding Disaster Declarations
A Stafford Act Disaster Declaration is made when a disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the local and state governments and federal assistance is needed. The process typically involves:
  • The water utility conducting preliminary damage assessments
  • State emergency management officials using information from the initial and preliminary damage estimates to determine the extent and impact of a disaster
  • The governor using the damage estimates to support a request for a disaster declaration
  • The president issuing a disaster declaration for an affected area
  • FEMA coordinating the federal disaster assistance

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The state primacy agency is requesting information from local governments on the status of water and wastewater utilities. Based on this information, the governor says 12 counties, including the county Our Town is in, reported either tornado or storm damage.

As a result, the governor declares a state of emergency in all of the affected counties. The governor begins to assemble cost data from preliminary damage assessments for a Stafford Act disaster declaration.

If a Presidential Disaster Declaration is issued, affected areas can begin to work with FEMA to receive federal disaster assistance. In case a declaration is issued, Our Town officials encourage the utility to adequately document all response activities to facilitate federal funding applications.

Select the image to learn more about the disaster declaration and application process for FEMA disaster assistance programs.

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