Government agencies and non-profit groups that suffered damages when Hurricane Earl swept through on Aug. 29 to 31 are invited to a briefing on federal aid to be held Monday by the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at VITEMA’s Emergency Operation Center, downstairs from the Public Works Department offices on Gifft Hill Road in Susannaberg, St. John.
Those attending the briefings should be a designated department or agency representative familiar with their respective site damages as well as overtime costs.
Interested applicants can begin the process by completing the Request for Public Assistance Application Form which can be downloaded at www.vitema.gov. Click “Learn More” in the Response and Recovery box to get the application.
President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the Virgin Islands on Sept. 28, triggering the availability of federal funds to supplement the recovery from the effects of Hurricane Earl.
Federal aid is available to the local government and certain non-profit organizations for emergency work and for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities territorywide.
The declaration also allows the local government and certain non-profit organizations to apply to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which funds projects that prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
St. John’s briefing originally had been scheduled for Oct. 9, but was postponed due to inclement weather caused by Tropical Storm Otto. This is the final applicant briefing for government agencies and non-profit organizations impacted by Hurricane Earl. Briefings have already been held on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
