U.S. Senator Susan Collins applauded a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Aroostook County, Maine affected by the severe flooding that affected it and many of the surrounding counties. Senator Collins recently toured the affected region and spoke with FEMA’s director, David Paulison to request that the decision regarding the declaration be made as quickly as possible. Such a declaration opens the door for federal assistance to those individuals who were affected by the flooding.
Senator Collins, who is Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee which oversees FEMA, released this statement:
“I am grateful that FEMA acted so quickly to declare Aroostook County eligible for Individual Assistance. I recently saw first-hand the devastation that the flooding caused the County. And as a native of the County, I have not ever seen such extraordinary damage to so many homes, buildings, and infrastructure in our state. I also appreciate that FEMA was prompt in sending Public Damage Assessment Teams to the area to quickly survey the damage over the past several days. Having seen the damage first-hand, I will support the anticipated request from Governor Baldacci’s office for Public Assistance for Aroostook and surrounding Counties. Public Assistance funds will allow these communities to begin rebuilding schools, police stations, bridges and other infrastructure damaged by the flooding.
“My heart continues to go out to the amazing residents of Aroostook County, who have endured so much over the past few days, and are working so hard to get back on their feet. And I commend the local, county, and state officials who are working so hard to recover from this terrible flooding. It is my hope that this federal assistance will help in that effort.”
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