Norton Says Second Disaster Declaration Will Help DC & Some Non-Profits Recover from Feb Snowstorm

Norton Says Second Disaster Declaration Will Help D.C. Government and Some Non-Profits Recover from February Snowstorms

March 24, 2010

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she was delighted that a Presidential Declaration of Disaster was issued for the February snowstorms, on the day following her sharp questioning of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials concerning when it would be declared. Norton, who chairs the subcommittee with jurisdiction over FEMA and federal disaster declarations, said she had no doubt that the February snowstorms would be declared a presidential disaster rather than a lesser emergency disaster, because the February snowstorms reached blizzard conditions that were worse than the December snowstorm, which had already received a Presidential Declaration of Disaster. Financial assistance will be provided not only to D.C. government reimbursement for snow removal costs, but also to some private non-profit organizations for emergency repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the snowstorms. In her role as subcommittee chair, Norton exercised oversight not only for D.C., but also for the National Capital Region, some parts of which incurred more snow than the District. She said she will continue to track progress until all funds are disbursed.