CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today asked President Bush to declare that Hillsborough, Merrimack and Strafford counties suffered a major disaster as a result of flash flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Hannah.

“Sections of Hillsborough, Merrimack and Strafford counties received torrential rains causing flash flooding and extensive damage to public infrastructure. In fact, rainfall totals place this storm in the category of a 100-year rain event,” Gov. Lynch said. “I am asking the President to issue a disaster declaration to provide financial assistance to communities, which will help them rebuild infrastructure damaged by recent flash flooding.”

Public assistance offered through FEMA helps the state and communities cover emergency operations, debris removal and repair costs. Assistance will cover some, but not usually all costs of the damage.

The State continues with work with communities and individuals impacted by severe weather.

A copy of Gov. Lynch’s letter to the President is below.

September 16, 2008

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Through: R. David Paulison, FEMA Administrator
Arthur Cleaves, Regional Director
FEMA, Region I
99 High Street
Boston, MA 02110-2132

Dear Mr. President:

Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, I respectfully request that you declare a major disaster for the State of New Hampshire for additional heavy rains and floods in this State. This request covers three New Hampshire counties: Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Strafford. This flooding event caused extensive damage during the period beginning September 6 through September 7, 2008.

On September 6-7, 2008, record rainfall and flash flooding caused extensive damage to the public infrastructure in these counties. Rainfall totals place this storm in the category of a 100-year rain event. In response to the situation, I took appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Operations Plan on September 6, 2008, in accordance with Section 401 of the Stafford Act. Additionally, I directed the State Emergency Operations Center to actively direct and coordinate the State’s emergency response and recovery to this event and remain open as necessary throughout the event period.

As you know, during the past two months, the citizens of New Hampshire have experienced repeated and overlapping natural disaster and severe weather events that have increasingly stressed our ongoing emergency response efforts at every level and have caused substantial damage throughout the State. Prior to this request, the State has already received two major disaster declarations (DR-NH-1782 & DR-NH-1787) for severe weather events that occurred in July and August 2008.

On September 10, 2008, I once again requested that FEMA conduct a preliminary damage assessment (PDA) of affected areas. FEMA began its preliminary damage assessment for Public Assistance on September 11, 2008. The assessment clearly demonstrates that affected communities, as well as the counties, will exceed the threshold for assistance.

I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of New Hampshire and the affected local governments and that supplemental Federal assistance is necessary. I am specifically requesting Public Assistance be designated for Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Strafford counties. I am also requesting that the Hazard Mitigation Program be designated statewide. While we are not requesting a designation for Individual Assistance at this time, we respectfully reserve our right to request an additional designation for Individual Assistance at a later date, in the event that additional evidence should come forward supporting a supplemental request for additional assistance.

I request that you expedite the declaration of a major disaster in New Hampshire so that the above assistance programs will be available to meet the community needs in the affected areas.

The State of New Hampshire has an approved standard Hazard Mitigation Plan, dated September 2007. The Plan has identified high winds, flooding, and flash flooding as high risk hazards and has prioritized projects to lessen these hazards statewide. The State participates in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program. In addition, local Hazard Mitigation plans identify high winds, flooding, and flash flooding as severe hazards and also prioritize projects to minimize the effects of these hazards.

The following actions have already been taken at the State and local levels to alleviate the conditions of this disaster:

We have actively investigated the nature and severity of this disaster event. The National Weather Service has confirmed that, during September 6th through September 7th, this storm produced record rainfall totals. The rainfall totals for the 6, 12, and 24 hour period place this storm in the category of a 100-year rain event. Rain totals in the affected areas ranged from 4.93 inches to 7.28 inches in less than 24 hours.

Upon activation of the State’s Emergency Operations Plan, I instructed the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to staff the State Emergency Operations Center as necessary on September 6, 2008. The Director activated Emergency Support Functions as necessary to respond to the flooding event. The Emergency Operations Center remained open through September 7, 2008.

The State’s Dam Bureau staff monitored dam and river forecasts throughout the event period. This was a 24-hour operation to provide information on dam conditions and river flows due to the high rain events predicted by the National Weather Service for New Hampshire during this timeframe.

Department of Transportation road crews have been removing debris and providing emergency repair to the road system to allow emergency vehicles access to the affected areas and have been providing critical technical support to local public works crews.

The American Red Cross and other volunteer agencies were monitoring and providing assistance and sheltering to families throughout the affected regions as needed.

I certify that for this major disaster, the State and local governments will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.

In accordance with 44 CFR Section 206.208, the State of New Hampshire agrees it will, with respect to direct Federal assistance:

1) Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements and rights-of-way necessary to accomplish the approved work;

2) Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;

3) Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and

4) Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters.

In addition, I anticipate the need for debris removal, which poses an immediate threat to lives, public health, and safety. Pursuant to Sections 403 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5170b & 5173, the State agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster. The State agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris.

I have designated Michael J. Poirier as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.

Sincerely,

John H. Lynch
Governor