WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today welcomed the announcement that President Obama has signed a major disaster declaration for Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York Counties following severe winter storms and flooding. This action triggers the release of federal funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will help affected communities recover by assisting emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities.

“The release of disaster relief funds is good news for Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York counties as their residents continue to bounce back after a series of severe winter weather,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We encourage the President to approve a similar declaration under review in Sagadahoc County and will continue to investigate options to help other areas in the state affected by severe winter weather including Washington County.”

Last week, King and Collins sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate backing Maine Governor Paul LePage’s request to declare a major disaster for Androscoggin, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, and York Counties. In the letter, the Senators noted that snow totals in some parts of the state for January were more than twice the normal level, and totals for February were more than three times the normal level.

Senators Collins and King previously sent a letter to Administrator Fugate on February 18th requesting assistance to towns in Washington County that had been hit especially hard by successive snowstorms. Following the letter, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate spoke with Senator Collins agreeing to reassess the policy that would have excluded Washington County from receiving federal assistance. FEMA generally considers only the snowfall from a single storm, rather than the cumulative total from multiple storms, in determining whether to provide assistance.

The FEMA funds released today will be provided for a period of 48 hours in Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York Counties. The funding is provided through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

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