SALT LAKE CITY – The State of Utah has requested that President Trump <a href=”https://site.utah.gov/dps-emergency/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/04/Herbert-Declaration-request-2017.pdf” target=”_blank”>declare a major disaster for Utah</a> as a result of February flooding in Box Elder and Cache counties
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently validated Utah’s revised estimates of $5.98 million in damages to public infrastructure.
To support the flood response and to protect property and public safety, Gov. Gary R. Herbert activated state resources from the Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Geological Survey. If President Trump declares a major disaster for Utah, FEMA would reimburse 75 percent of eligible disaster costs — helping Utah’s cities and counties recover.
The governor has requested that the president make available FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program, which is designed to help rebuild public infrastructure, and FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, to protect against future disasters. Road damage accounts for most of Utah’s damage estimate, with other costs relating to emergency protective work and debris removal.
Gov. Herbert issued an executive order on March 31 declaring a “State of Emergency” in Utah as a result of flooding in Box Elder and Cache counties between Feb. 7 and Feb. 27.
The <a href=”http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/local/article_2e90873c-166a-11e7-8acf-37e0fcac015e.html” target=”_blank”>Governor’s declaration</a> notes that flooding caused severe damage to roads, bridges, culverts, homes, businesses, utilities, and to other private and public facilities and agriculture, overburdening the communities.