Gov. Lynch today asked President Barack Obama to declare that New Hampshire has suffered a major disaster as a result of the severe winter weather that occurred from Feb. 23, through March 2, 2010
"The combination of snow, rain and high winds left more than 330,000 utility customers without power, closed roads across the state and resulted in large costs for our communities, businesses and citizens," Gov. Lynch said. "Federal disaster assistance will be critical in helping them recover."
Local communities and the State estimate damage to be more than $10 million, well in excess of the threshold needed for public assistance. The Governor has requested a declaration for Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan counties.
If a declaration is approved, the state and communities would receive assistance to cover emergency operations and repair costs, as well as debris removal.
A copy of the letter to President Obama is attached.
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March 16, 2010
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Through: Mr. Paul Ford, Acting Regional Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Region 1
99 High Street
Boston, MA 01210
Dear Mr. President:
Under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, I request that you declare a major disaster for the State of New Hampshire as soon as possible. Beginning on February 23, 2010 and continuing until March 3, 2010, a severe weather event with high winds, rain and snow resulted in power outages for more than 50% of the state's population and has caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, homes and businesses. Based on the Preliminary Damage Assessment performed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, I am making this request for the following New Hampshire counties: Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan.
In response to the situation, I took appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan in accordance with Section 401(a) of the Stafford Act. On February 26, 2010, I declared a State of Emergency in New Hampshire in which I placed the full resources of the State at the disposal of the Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to respond to this disaster.
Following several days of precipitation, the majority of the state experienced heavy rainfall over several days totaling up to 4 to 6 inches in Rockingham and Strafford counties and 2 to 6 inches in Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Sullivan counties. Heavy winds peaked between 11 p.m. on February 25 and 1 a.m. on February 26 at over 70 miles per hour. Sustained hurricane force winds were experienced on New Hampshire's seacoast. Power outages and closed roads from debris and downed power lines forced many residents to evacuate their homes and businesses to close. Phone and electric service were cut off to a peak of over 330,000 customers by the early morning hours of February 25th. Restoration of service took significant time. The economic loss to the business community and the impact to residents are extensive.
Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.36, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen, or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting the Public Assistance Program at this time be designated for Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan counties. I am also requesting that the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program be designated statewide.
I request that you hasten the issuance of a major declaration for New Hampshire so that the requested assistance programs will be available to meet the essential needs of the communities in the affected areas.
The State of New Hampshire has an approved standard Hazard Mitigation Plan dated September 2007. The Plan identifies severe winter weather as a high-risk hazard and has prioritized projects to lessen the effects of severe events such as this statewide. The State participates in the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program. In addition, local hazard mitigation plans identify severe winter weather as a severe hazard and prioritize projects to minimize the effects of these events.
Preliminary estimates of the types and amount of emergency assistance needed under the Stafford Act, and emergency assistance from certain Federal agencies under other statutory authorities, are tabulated in Enclosure B (Estimated Requirements for Public Assistance).
The following actions have already been taken at the State and local levels to alleviate the conditions of this emergency:
1. The State's Emergency Operations Plan was activated beginning on February 25, 2010 and I instructed the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to staff the State Emergency Operations Center. The Director initiated Emergency Support Functions as necessary to respond to the weather event. The Emergency Operations Center remained open on a 24-hour basis from 4 pm on February 25th to 11:50 pm on March 3rd, 2010.
2. I activated the National Guard and deployed units to the State Emergency Operations Center and to affected counties and communities beginning on February 25, 2010 and these troops remain deployed until February 28, 2010. These missions consisted of assistance in EOC support functions and home checks on residents. Fifty National Guard troops were activated for this event.
3. The Department of Transportation and many local crews were deployed to remove debris from roadways in order to provide passage for emergency and utility vehicles to hundreds of roads, and providing technical support to local public work crews.
4. The American Red Cross and local agencies were activated on February 25th providing assistance, food, and shelter to individuals through the affected regions. Four regional shelters and 22 local shelters were opened over a several day period, and provided day and overnight services to hundreds of individuals and families.
I certify that for this emergency, the State and local governments will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.
1. The anticipated needs of the communities will far exceed the resources available to the state and local governments as:
a. Large amounts of debris intertwined with power lines impacted the availability for emergency vehicles to get through to assist New Hampshire residents. At this time, communities in more than half of the counties in the state have requested assistance with debris removal. At least 37 state roads and 150 local roads remained closed for several days.
b. New Hampshire experienced widespread power and communications outages. By 5 pm on February 26, 2010, of the approximately 700,000 power customers, over 330,000, 90% of which are residential households, remained without power. The majority of the restoration could not start for several days due to the need to conduct damage assessments and remove extensive debris from major and minor roads to facilitate the restoration efforts. Restoration of utility service involved the use of over one thousand and sixteen (1016) utility crews, including several hundred from out of state.
c. A total of over 30 shelters and warming stations were opened within 24-hours of the beginning of the storm to assist residents.
2. The type of assistance requested:
a. New Hampshire is still actively responding to this disaster and has been unable to fully quantify the amount of assistance that will be needed from Federal resources. A declaration at this time is critical to getting anticipated resources in place to ensure life and public safety. The State is specifically requesting Direct Federal Assistance, to include technical assistance, in anticipation of debris removal and communication issues. The need for assistance from Federal resources will continue to grow as the extent of damages becomes more apparent.
In accordance with 44 CFR § 206.208, the State of New Hampshire agrees that it will, with respect to direct Federal assistance:
1. Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easement, and rights-of-ways necessary to accomplish the approved work.
2. Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;
3. Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and
4. Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters.
In addition, I anticipate the need for debris removal, which poses an immediate threat to lives, public health, and safety. Pursuant to Sections 403 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5170b and 5173, the State agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster. The State agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris.
I have designated Michael J. Poirier as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.
Sincerely,
John H. Lynch
Governor