Lincoln, Pryor, Berry Announce FEMA Funds For January Ice Storm Recovery Efforts Federal Funds To Assist In Clean-Up Of Craighead, Poinsett, Randolph, Independence, Lawrence, And Fulton Counties

Press Release

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced that Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation and Fulton County are the recipients of federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The funds will be used to help with repairs from the January ice storm and are allocated as follows:

Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation, $6,208,912 to fund the repair of all eligible storm-related damage to Craighead Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution area in Craighead County, therefore restoring essential utility service after the January ice storm.

Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation, $5,616,763 to fund the repair of all eligible storm-related damage to Craighead Electric Cooperative's electrical distribution area in Poinsett, Randolph, Independence, and Lawrence Counties, therefore restoring essential utility service after the January ice storm.

Fulton County, $1,969,758 to fund the labor, equipment and temporary hires to cut, haul, place and chip vegetative debris at four temporary debris staging sites.

"January's ice storm caused significant damage to the northern half of our state," Lincoln said. "In the days after the storm, our first responders and community members answered the call by assisting in the recovery response. The federal government should do its part to help with ongoing clean-up efforts."

"Cleaning up the damage and debris required considerable time and manpower," Pryor said. "I'm pleased FEMA came through with more federal resources to help offset the costs Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation and Fulton County incurred."

"The January ice storm has left a trail of damage and destruction that is still being addressed by many communities across the state," said Berry. "This funding will provide local officials the resources they need to recover from this natural disaster and rebuild their communities."

Source