Presidential Declaration Makes Federal Aid Available for Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton, and Sullivan Counties

CONCORD, NH - Governor Chris Sununu announced today that President Donald Trump has granted his request for a major disaster declaration for Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton and Sullivan counties in response to the severe wind storm and flooding that occurred between October 29 and November 1, 2017.

"This storm significantly strained state and local resources as emergency responders dealt with heavy rainfall, county-wide flash flooding, damaging winds, significant debris that restricted travel and operations, and historical power outages," Governor Sununu said. "Through this major disaster declaration, those most heavily impacted by the storm can have access to federal support for response efforts. I thank President Trump for his timely response to my request."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), working with state and local emergency management officials, recently completed a Preliminary Damage Assessment, finding that the statewide costs for response efforts related to this event exceeded $5,889,549.

The President's declaration also makes federal support available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. The purpose of the program is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable the implementation of mitigation measures during the immediate recovery from a disaster. FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of approved projects. Federal assistance will be available to government entities and some private non-profits providing critical services.

"We are very pleased to receive this declaration," Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Perry Plummer said. "We will be reaching out to emergency management directors within the eligible counties to provide meeting dates, information about the application process, and to assist with applications."

In response to the storm, Governor Sununu executed the State Emergency Operations Plan with an activation of the State Emergency Operations Center on October 29 through November 3, 2017. The combination of heavy rainfall and strong winds caused severe damage to hundreds of miles of local and State roadways, dozens of bridges and culverts, and left more than 270,000 electrical utility customers without power.

For more details on the Governor's request, the major disaster declaration and available resources, visit http://www.governor.nh.gov.