Concord, NH – Governor Chris Sununu announced on Aug 20th, that President Joe Biden granted his request for a major disaster declaration in response to severe storms and flooding from July 10-13 that resulted in significant costs to local communities. Coos and Grafton counties are included in the declaration.

"Communities in many areas of the state continue to face extraordinary weather events resulting in significant damage. This disaster declaration provides the opportunity for communities in Coos and Grafton counties to recuperate costs incurred while fixing damages," said Governor Chris Sununu. "The state recognizes the hardship these storms brought and will work with officials in both counties to utilize relief funding to make the communities whole again."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), working with State and local emergency management officials, recently completed a Preliminary Damage Assessment, finding that the statewide cost for response efforts related to this event totaled $5,258,562.

The declaration allows communities in the two counties to move forward with seeking federal funding assistance.

"We want to thank all the communities statewide who continue to participate in preliminary damage assessments when disasters strike," said Robert Buxton, Director of the New Hampshire Department of Safety's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). "This declaration will provide a step toward recovery in the communities that experienced damages from the severe storms and flooding in July. We will continue to assist communities with the process of making repairs and working on mitigation projects to prevent similar problems in the future."

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 and the Public Assistance Program. The purpose of the Hazard Mitigation Grant 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 projects. The Public Assistance Program provides grants to state and local governments to assist with disaster recovery, including debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure.

HSEM will contact communities in the affected counties to set up briefings to explain the process of applying for assistance. The briefings will be a combination of in-person and online. Agencies that are eligible for receiving assistance include local, county and state agencies as well as nonprofits that provide critical services.

Read more details on the Governor's request here.