Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Requests Assessment from FEMA Preparatory to Federal Disaster Declaration Request

May 21, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – Responding to the flooding on the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, the State of Alaska has officially requested a preliminary damage assessment (PDA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to evaluate the losses in residential property, businesses and public infrastructure.

“The state emergency managers have done a terrific job working with local responders to coordinate response and initial recovery to this year’s spring flooding,” Governor Sarah Palin said. “Now we must rebuild our communities and this formal request is the first step in that process.”

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Two PDA teams, made up of local emergency managers, State of Alaska employees, Small Business Administration workers, and FEMA members, will cover the Yukon River and Kuskokwim River starting in Eagle and working their way to the coast.

“After visiting many communities affected by the flooding, I believe the devastation will reach the minimum requirements for a federal disaster declaration,” the governor said. “I look forward to seeing the findings of the PDA teams as quickly as possible.”

Source: Alaska Governor