Mass. Governor Seeking Disaster Declaration for Flooding

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(TNS) — Gov. Maura Healey has asked the Biden administration to declare a major disaster declaration for the Bay State after flash flooding left three Massachusetts communities with severe damage in September.

A storm that began on Sept. 11 left Leominster, Fitchburg, and North Attleborough with severe damage that required — among other things — evacuations, sheltering, and the construction of temporary roads, the governor’s office said.

“I saw first-hand the devastating impacts our communities experienced from the September storms. The extraordinarily heavy rainfall flooded thousands of homes and businesses, destroyed infrastructure, and required a significant public safety response,” Healey said in a statement. “I’m requesting federal assistance to support our ongoing recovery efforts as communities and residents continue to rebuild.”

The president has the power to declare a major disaster for any natural event they deem has caused damage beyond a state’s and/or local community’s control, the governor’s office said.

If President Joe Biden were to issue such a declaration, Massachusetts would get access to federal funds to assist people and public infrastructure affected by September’s natural disasters.

After a natural disaster, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency works with the federal government and local communities to assess possibly reimbursable damage that’s resulted from it.

After the assessment is done, the Federal Emergency Management Agency determines whether to issue a major disaster declaration.

“Beginning on September 11, MEMA staff responded to Attleboro, North Attleboro, Lancaster, Leominster, Princeton, Springfield, and Sterling to support community response and recovery activities,” MEMA Director Dawn Brantley said in a statement.

“I want to thank all of the state and municipal agencies, volunteers, and non-governmental organizations who worked together to respond to the storm, as well as the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their leadership,” Brantley continued.

“FEMA has been an excellent partner through the process of conducting joint preliminary damage assessments, and MEMA recognizes the commitment of the communities that dedicated significant time and attention to this endeavor while also facing the challenges of recovery,” Brantley concluded.