New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has asked President Bush to declare that the state has suffered a major disaster as a result of the ice storm that began on December 11.
Preliminary and partial damage assessments compiled by local communities and the state already exceed $15 million.That’s well in excess of the threshold needed for public assistance.
Lynch says the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s preliminary review shows that communities in all 10 New Hampshire counties should qualify for public assistance.
The federal government provides three main types of assistance. Public assistance will help the state and communities cover emergency operations and repair costs. Individual assistance will provide some emergency assistance to individuals, such as for temporary housing, and may cover some home repair costs. The government would also provide assistance to businesses through the Small Business Administration.