El Paso, Pueblo and Fremont among counties included in state’s major disaster declaration request

The State of Colorado submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe weather and flooding that happened between April and June of this year.

The request covers 11 counties, including Baca, Elbert, El Paso, Fremont, Logan, Morgan, Pueblo, Saguache, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma.

The preliminary damage assessments show a combined total of nearly $20 million in damages across the 11 counties.

Steve Hancock, who had more than 10 acres eaten away by Fountain Creek in Pueblo because of storms this year, said he’s happy to see help could be on the way.

“It’s promising. I hope somebody can come through where they can get something taken care of because of the flooding conditions out here,” he said.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REQUEST IN ITS ENTIRETY

The Governor must request a major disaster declaration through the FEMA regional office after the preliminary damage assessments have been completed. The FEMA regional office then reviews the request and forwards it to the President.

The State of Colorado has requested that the FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program be awarded to the impacted jurisdictions. The Public Assistance Grant Program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and infrastructure.