For Immediate Release:
June 2, 2017
Contact: Sununu.Press@nh.gov
603-271-2121
CONCORD, N.H. – Governor Chris Sununu today announced that President Donald Trump has granted his request for a major disaster declaration for Belknap and Carroll counties in response to the severe winter storm that occurred between March 14 and March 15, 2017.
“This storm significantly strained state and local resources as emergency responders and residents faced severe winter storm conditions, strong winds, reduced visibility, and significant debris that restricted travel and storm operations,” Governor Chris Sununu said. “Through this major disaster declaration, eligible local governments and private nonprofit organizations most heavily impacted by the storm can have access to federal support for response efforts. I thank President Trump for his timely response to my request.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), working with state and local emergency management officials, recently completed a Preliminary Damage Assessment, finding that the statewide costs for response efforts related to this event exceeded $2,169,538.
The President’s declaration also makes federal support available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. The purpose of the program is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable the implementation of mitigation measures during the immediate recovery from a disaster. FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of approved mitigation projects.
“I am very pleased that the State received this declaration,” Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Perry Plummer said. “We will be reaching out to emergency management directors within Belknap and Carroll counties to provide meeting dates, information about the application process, and to assist with applications.”
In advance of the storm, Governor Sununu executed the State Emergency Operations Plan with an activation of the State Emergency Operations Center on March 14 through March 15, 2017. Snowfall accumulation totaled between 12 to 20 inches across the state with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, and winds exceeding 80 miles per hour during the storm.