Congresswoman Tsongas Applauds Presidential Declaration For Federal Aid For Flooding

Press Release

Last night, President Barack Obama authorized federal assistance under a Major Federal Disaster Declaration for communities most impacted by the flooding. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas joined the Massachusetts delegation in calling for this emergency aid since her district was especially hard hit by severe flooding.

The President's action makes assistance available to affected homeowners, renters and businesses in the Fifth Congressional District in Essex, Middlesex and Worcester counties. It also makes assistance available to Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties. The Congresswoman strongly supports the Governor expanding his request to cover any damage resulting from the ongoing weather event the state is experiencing this week. Congresswoman Tsongas released the following statement:

"I am grateful for the Administration's quick response to our request for emergency aid as our communities have been put to the test this month. The repeated days of unending rain and severe flooding have caused people to evacuate their homes, road closures, damage to homes and businesses and lost revenue for businesses. I continue to remain in contact with local elected officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to assist with the recovery from this storm. My office is here as a resource to help the area recover as quickly as possible and to ensure that residents and business owners have all of the support that they need.

"And, I remain impressed by our emergency responders, state and local elected officials, and law enforcement officials who have been on the scene assisting residents affected by the storm. These citizens have served their neighbors and friends time and time again with support and dedication, and continue to provide critical assistance to those residents who have been displaced by this storm.

"I urge citizens to continue to be conscious of the numerous road closures in communities throughout the Merrimack and Nashoba Valleys and flooding due to the swollen Merrimack, Spicket, Assabet, Nashua, Concord and Shawsheen rivers, as the high water remains potentially quite dangerous."

For flood related emergencies, residents should call 9-1-1. Individuals and business owners, who sustained losses in the designated counties, can initiate the application for assistance process by calling the FEMA Teleregistration numbers: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired or registering on-line at www.fema.gov. The toll-free Teleregistration numbers will operate Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 1:00am, on weekends - Saturday and Sunday from 7:00am to 10:00pm, until further notice.

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