Federal disaster aid approved for April storms

WINDSOR, CONN. – More than $56,000 in federal aid has been allocated for disaster relief projects stemming from the severe storms and flooding that hit Newport County in April. Fifteen projects are in the process of being completed, with 13 of them approved for the relief funds. Once they are done, and the paperwork turned in to the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the money will be released. The other two projects are being evaluated for funding, but no final decision has been made about them.
Heavy rain and high winds from the storms of April 15-16 caused utility and road damage and generated emergency response costs in Newport County. Federal assistance grants became available to state and local governments, as well as some private nonprofits, once the president declared a major disaster on May 25.
FEMA Public Assistance grants cover 75 percent of the cost of approved repair, reconstruction and mitigation projects. The remaining 25 percent of the cost will be covered by state and local agencies.