Statement From Senator Young Regarding Recently Announced Fema Aid for Flood Damage

Catharine Young

September 1, 2009

Although we are grateful that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has partially okayed the disaster declaration so that local and state governments have the green light to make much-needed repairs to infrastructure, the federal government’s job is only half done.

Families and senior citizens are suffering because their homes were severely damaged or destroyed. Some folks are homeless and are desperate.  Businesses are in danger of closing their doors.  They don’t have the money to make repairs.  I’m receiving heartbreaking pleas for help.  People don’t know where to turn because they are in limbo.

I strongly urge FEMA to finish the job by approving the entire disaster declaration immediately so people can fix their homes and restart their businesses.  Everyone needs to get their lives back.