Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Montana and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by flooding from April 10 to April 26, 2023.
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in the counties of Blaine, Daniels, Hill, Park, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley and the Fort Peck Tribes.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Jon Huss of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
What is a Montana Disaster Declaration?
A Montana disaster declaration is a formal declaration by the President of the United States that a major disaster or emergency exists in the state of Montana. This declaration allows the federal government to provide financial assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to help with disaster relief and recovery efforts.
There are three types of disaster declarations:
- Major disaster declaration: This is the most common type of declaration and is used for events that cause widespread damage and loss of life.
- Emergency declaration: This type of declaration is used for events that are less severe than a major disaster, but still require federal assistance.
- Fire management assistance declaration: This type of declaration is used to provide assistance for wildfires.
To qualify for a disaster declaration, the Governor of Montana must submit a request to the President of the United States. The request must include information about the nature and extent of the disaster, the impact on the state and its residents, and the availability of state and local resources.
Once a disaster declaration is issued, the federal government can provide a variety of assistance, including:
- Direct assistance: This includes money to help individuals and families with immediate needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
- Public assistance: This includes money to help state and local governments with debris removal, infrastructure repairs, and other disaster-related expenses.
- Individual assistance: This includes grants to help individuals and families with long-term recovery costs, such as repairs to homes and businesses.
- Loans: The Small Business Administration (SBA) can provide low-interest loans to businesses and homeowners who have been affected by a disaster.
A disaster declaration can be a lifeline for communities that have been devastated by a natural disaster. It can help to provide the resources needed to recover and rebuild.
Recent Montana Disaster Declarations
In recent years, Montana has been affected by a number of major disasters, including:
- 2023 flooding: In April 2023, heavy rains caused widespread flooding in Montana. The flooding damaged homes, businesses, and infrastructure in several counties. The President issued a major disaster declaration for Montana on August 12, 2023.
- 2022 severe storms and flooding: In June 2022, severe storms and flooding caused damage in several counties in Montana. The President issued a major disaster declaration for Montana on June 16, 2022.
- 2021 Richard Spring Fire: In August 2021, the Richard Spring Fire burned over 100,000 acres in Montana. The President issued a major disaster declaration for Montana on September 30, 2021.
These are just a few of the recent disasters that have affected Montana. If you live in Montana and have been affected by a disaster, you can find more information about disaster assistance on the FEMA website: https://www.fema.gov/