FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Delaware to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Isaias from Aug. 4-7.
Federal funding is available to the state, 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 Tropical Storm Isaias in Kent County.
On August 31, 2020, the state formally asked the President for the Presidential Disaster Declaration for the State of Delaware as a result of the severe weather events during the period of August 4, 2020, through August 7, 2020.
The state noted over four days that weather conditions including heavy rain, multiple tornadoes, and damaging winds caused substantial damage throughout the state. The Delaware Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated, a State of Emergency was declared, and the Delaware Emergency Operations Plan (DEOP) was enacted.
The request specifically asks the President for a Major Disaster Declaration including Public and Individual Assistance for Kent and New Castle Counties, along with Hazard Mitigation Funding to be made available to all three counties. Total expenditures due to the storms were expected to be in excess of $6.7-million.
The event produced a new record daily rainfall in Wilmington, DE. In addition, it produced three tornadoes, resulted in multiple road closures, coastal and riverine flooding, a sinkhole, and prolonged power outages.”
On August 17, 2020, DEMA formally requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) participate in a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment to assess and catalog storm impacts. COVID-19 precautions were utilized during the detailed assessment, with much of the damage being viewed by virtually by FEMA. State and local officials surveyed hundreds of structures. The assessment revealed that Kent and New Castle Counties had sustained damages that may qualify for federal assistance.
FEMA officials said Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Timothy S. Pheil has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.