Murkowski Says More is Needed in Disaster Declaration

Press Release

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today released the following statement after the Obama Administration declared a disaster exists for the State of Alaska for flooding that occurred in the Interior between May 8-13, 2011. Sen. Begich and Sen. Murkowski sent a letter to the Administration on Monday asking FEMA to support the disaster declaration as requested by the Governor on June 1.

"The President's declaration is a start but I continue to express concern that FEMA will not make funds available to residents of Crooked Creek and Red Devil to repair their homes and replace personal possessions lost in the flood," Murkowski said. "Our construction season in Alaska is short, and the delay of individual assistance for the Crooked Creek and Red Devil disaster could put the rebuilding effort of homes and restoring the lives of the community by winter in jeopardy."

"This disaster declaration means the communities of Crooked Creek and Red Devil will get some much-needed federal assistance to rebuild following this spring's devastating floods. I appreciate the Administration's quick response to the requests from both the State of Alaska and from the Alaska Senate offices," Begich said.

FEMA said it is still reviewing whether Individual Assistance will be made available to residents of Crooked Creek and Red Devil. Sens. Begich and Murkowski requested both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance in their letter to the Administration supporting the disaster declaration.

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