State submits FEMA request after historic December flooding; preliminary infrastructure damage pegged at $182.3 million

Speaker 1 announced the state is filing a request with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking for a major disaster declaration tied to December's historic flooding and for approval into FEMA's Public Assistance program. "The specific preliminary damage assessment that we're submitting is $182,300,000," Speaker 1 said, adding the figure is preliminary and likely to increase as assessments continue.

He said the Public Assistance program can reimburse up to 75 percent of qualifying infrastructure repairs, including debris removal, repairs to roads and bridges, public utilities and parks. "We are eligible for assistance of up to 75% of that number," Speaker 1 said, while noting that the state and local governments would be responsible for the remaining 25 percent if the request is approved.

Speaker 1 said the state is also applying for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to fund projects that reduce future flood impacts and estimated HMGP could pay up to about 20 percent of the damage assessment (Speaker 1 estimated a maximum of roughly $36.6 million, based on the preliminary figure). He clarified that the $182.3 million does not include damages to certain federal highways (examples cited: Highway 2), which fall under a separate Federal Highway Administration process.

Speaker 1 said the application filing met a deadline and that the state had compiled supporting materials, including video of flood damage, bipartisan legislative letters and letters from cities and business groups, to strengthen the federal request. He cautioned there is no set timeline for FEMA's decision and said the federal review process can be lengthy.