President Obama announced today that four counties in the River Region would be made eligible for federal assistance in their recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that occurred during May 6 – 8.  Autauga, Bullock, Elmore, and Montgomery Counties were made eligible for public assistance.  State and local governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations, will be able to access federal funding for repairing or replacing storm and flood damaged facilities.  Additionally, federal assistance is available for hazard mitigation measures across the state.

“I am pleased to see the swift response from President Obama and am hopeful this declaration will help Montgomery County and the River Region recover from the storms in early May,” Rogers said.  “As Ranking Member on the Preparedness Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I will continue to make it a top priority to ensure our local communities are prepared and ready to respond when natural disasters strike,” Rogers added.

“I would like to thank President Obama for quickly making a disaster declaration, and I thank Governor Riley for his continued attention to this matter” Bright said.  “This declaration will go a long way in helping our communities recover from the severe floods and storms that occurred last month.  As FEMA has clearly stated, other assistance could be made available in the future, and I will continue to advocate that the Second District receives all available federal funding and work with local officials in their recovery efforts.”

Shortly after the storms, Congressmen Rogers and Bright sent a letter to President Obama requesting swift action on a federal disaster declaration.
FEMA said additional designations, such as individual assistance, may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
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