FEMA approves delayed 2019 storm aid for Lyme, NY, and $22.4M for Missouri school rebuild

Key points

• FEMA approved $156,000 for Lyme, NY, to reimburse 2019 storm damage costs, a process that took seven years.
• Perry County School District 32 in Missouri received a $22.4 million FEMA commitment for rebuilding Perryville High School after tornado damage.
• The $22.4 million is part of a $60 million project, with $35 million from a local levy and $25 million from FEMA, insurance, and district funds.
• FEMA approved nearly $36 million for storm recovery projects in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, including infrastructure repairs and hazard mitigation.
• FEMA also approved over $33 million for post-disaster funding in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, covering infrastructure and public building repairs.

Background

Recent global events, such as the devastating floods in Nepal and the Philippines, highlight the ongoing impact of severe weather on communities worldwide. These events underscore the importance of timely and effective disaster relief efforts, as seen in the delayed but eventual approval of federal aid for Lyme, NY, and the substantial funding for the Perryville High School rebuild.

How outlets are covering it

WWNY emphasizes the seven-year delay in receiving federal aid for Lyme, NY, highlighting the bureaucratic challenges in disaster recovery. KBSI and KFVS focus on the $22.4 million FEMA commitment for Perryville High School, stressing the collaborative funding model involving local levies and federal reimbursements. Mahoning Matters provides a broader view, noting FEMA's $36 million approval for storm recovery in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and the $33 million for projects in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, emphasizing the federal government's role in supporting local infrastructure and public safety.

Why it matters

These approvals demonstrate the federal government's commitment to supporting communities affected by natural disasters, even if the process is delayed. The substantial funding for infrastructure and public building repairs is crucial for long-term resilience and recovery, ensuring that communities can rebuild and protect against future disasters.

What to watch

The town of Lyme, NY, will use the $156,000 to catch up on paving projects delayed by the 2019 storm repairs. Perry County School District 32 will begin bidding the first phase of the new Perryville High School construction project in the coming months. FEMA will continue to disburse funds through reimbursement processes as projects progress in various states.