Hoeven: State Working To Help FEMA Speed Up Recovery Funds

Press Release

Governor John Hoeven today announced several steps that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is taking to speed up funding for the flood recovery process in North Dakota.

"Last week I met with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to discuss efforts to speed up funding for the flood recovery process in our state," Hoeven said. "These steps will allow local officials to better work directly with the decision makers to ensure that recovery dollars make it into communities without delay."

The steps include:

* FEMA will send 10 additional project officers into the field in North Dakota to speed up the review and submission of remaining claims in the state.
* FEMA will combine the Fargo office with the Bismarck Joint Field Office to reduce one step in the application process, which will streamline approval and make funds available faster.
* North Dakota Department of Emergency Services will make work space available at the Bismarck Joint Field Office and pay travel expenses for city, county and township applicants allowing them to work directly with FEMA to ensure that applications are fully completed and expedited.

These actions will streamline the development and processing of claims by bringing together the critical personnel under one roof. This move eliminates time and distance factors currently slowing the project development and approval process. Site inspections are completed in 44 of the 48 declared counties. In the four remaining counties, FEMA and state personnel will work until site inspections are completed.

"We want to make sure we are doing all we can to help our local officials as they go through the recovery process," Hoeven said. "We appreciate the efforts Administrator Fugate and his team are making to implement these practical and necessary measures to help communities as they work to recover from the impacts this year's severe flooding."

Source