Flooding now a federal disaster

PALMER — President Barack Obama has declared the September floods a federal disaster, according to Federal Emergency Management Administration press release issued Tuesday.

The disaster area stretches from the Denali Borough to the Kenai Peninsula Borough, from Tok to Palmer.

The declaration unlocks federal money to help local and tribal governments recoup some of the costs paid to respond to the disaster. It can also pay “for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities,” according to the press release.

It can also help pay for projects to reduce long-term risk from “natural or technical” disasters, the release says.

FEMA is planning meetings to explain to local officials how to apply for the money. Kenneth Suiso has been named the federal coordinating officer for the recovery operations.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.