CONCORD - Gov. Lynch today asked President George Bush to declare that New Hampshire has suffered a major disaster as a result of the ice storm that began on December 11th.

“This ice storm left more than 400,000 utility customers without power; closed roads across the state; and resulted in large costs for our communities, businesses and citizens,” Gov. Lynch said. “Federal disaster assistance will be critical in helping them recover.”

Preliminary and partial damage assessments compiled by local communities and the State already exceed $15 million - well in excess of the threshold needed for public assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s preliminary review shows that communities in all 10 New Hampshire counties should qualify for public assistance.

The Federal Government provides three main types of assistance: public assistance, which helps the state and communities cover emergency operations and repair costs; individual assistance, which provides some emergency assistance to individuals, such as for temporary housing, and may cover some home repair costs; and assistance to businesses through the Small Business Administration.

State agencies are continuing to work with FEMA to assess damage and prepare and application for individual and Small Business Administration assistance.

A copy of the letter to President Bush is below.

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December 22, 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 as soon as possible. A severe weather event, with accumulating ice, snow, rain and strong winds, beginning on December 11, 2008, and still continuing, has caused extensive damage to homes, business and public infrastructure. This request is for all ten New Hampshire counties: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford and Sullivan.

In response to the situation, I took appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Operations Plan on December 11, 2008, in accordance with Section 401 of the Stafford Act. On December 12, 2008, I declared a State of Emergency in New Hampshire in which I placed the full resources of the State at the disposal of the Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to respond effectively to this disaster.

Many communities are reporting damage that exceeds their capacity to effectively respond and recover from this disaster. Power outages and closed roads from debris, snow, freezing rain and downed power lines forced many residents to evacuate their homes and businesses to close. The impact to residents and the economic loss to the business community has been extensive. Phone and electric service has been cut off to a peak of over 400,000 customers since December 11, 2008. Many schools, daycare centers, and other social programs were closed at the height of the weather event, and some will remain closed until the beginning of the new year.

On December 15, 2008, I requested that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conduct a preliminary damage assessment (PDA) of the affected areas. FEMA’s PDA for Public Assistance is complete and Individual Assistance is ongoing. Preliminary and partial damage assessments compiled by local communities and the State already exceed $15 million - well in excess of the threshold needed for Public Assistance. FEMA’s completed PDA shows statewide damages exceeding $10 million and all 10 counties in New Hampshire having surpassed the county thresholds.

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 the Public Assistance Program at this time be designated for all ten New Hampshire counties, as listed in paragraph one. I am also requesting that the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program be designated statewide. A statewide assessment of individuals and businesses affected by this event is being conducted and, if warranted, I expect to ask for Individual Assistance (IA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) be designated for this disaster at a later date when the ongoing statewide assessment is completed.

I request that you hasten the declaration of a major declaration for New Hampshire so that the above assistance programs will be available to meet the essential needs of the communities in the affected areas.

The State of New Hampshire has an approved standard Hazard Mitigation Plan, dated October 2007. The Plan has identified severe winter weather and icing as a high risk hazard and has prioritized projects to lessen the effects of severe events as this 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 severe winter weather as a severe hazard and also prioritize projects to minimize the effects of these events.

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

• 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 December 11, 2008. The Director activated Emergency Support Functions as necessary to respond to the weather event. The Emergency Operations Center has remained opened on a 24-hour basis since the disaster began.
• I activated the National Guard and deployed units to the State Emergency Operations Center, to nine State armories, and to affected communities beginning on Friday December 12, 2008 and continuing. These missions included assistance in EOC emergency support functions, distribution of essential sheltering commodities, removal of roadway debris, security, communications, and traffic control. The National Guard completed over 117 missions to 46 communities and State agencies. At the height of the emergency there were 426 National Guard troops that were activated for this emergency. Currently (December 22, 2008) 207 troops remain active for this event.
• At the height of the storm, the Department of Transportation and many local crews were out removing debris from roadways in order to provide passage for emergency and utility vehicles to hundreds of roads, and providing critical technical support to local public works crews. Additional crews from Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED), National Guard, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), and local communities have supplemented the debris removal task.
• The American Red Cross and other volunteer agencies were activated on Friday December 11, 2008, providing assistance, food, and sheltering to families throughout the affected regions. At one point over 51 shelters were open to evacuees. To date there have been 3,816 overnight stays that were sheltered. Currently there are 5 shelters that remain open with 57 shelter residents.

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 t

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