The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to counties, including St. Lawrence, to supplement state, local and tribal recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm, snowstorm and flooding during Nov. 17 to 26.

The action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm, snowstorm and flooding in St. Lawrence, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

According to a press release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, assistance for the state and affected local and tribal governments can include as required:

• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs 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. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

• Federal funding is available to the state and eligible tribal and local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48 hour period during or proximate to the incident period. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

• Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, local and tribal governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Application procedures for the state, local and tribal governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.