![Federal Government Distributes .5 Million in Emergency Aid for Massachusetts After Fall Storms Federal Government Distributes .5 Million in Emergency Aid for Massachusetts After Fall Storms](https://i0.wp.com/www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0913-NWS-BHR-L-leominstercc03.jpg?w=1024&h=656&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
A car lies stranded in rubble after historic rain left a swath of damage and destruction in Leominster in September. (Chris Christo/Boston Herald)
Federal emergency response coordinators said they delivered more than $3.5 million in disaster aid to residents after storms left roads and homes damaged last fall in Bristol and Worcester counties, according to newly released data.
The massive rains wreaked havoc especially in Leominster, where city officials have said damage to public property amounted to around $30 million. The land around the houses was razed, the streets destroyed and rescuers had to use boats to evacuate people.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said 601 survivors of the storms that occurred between September 11 and 13, 2023, had been approved for $3.5 million in assistance, including $2.1 million in housing assistance and $1.4 million for “other needs.”
“Federal assistance may include grants for temporary housing, repairs to uninsured or underinsured homes and personal property, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster.” ”the agency said.
The deadline for people who suffered loss or damage due to the severe storms and flooding to apply for federal disaster assistance is July 15, according to the agency. Both renters and homeowners are eligible for housing assistance.
“Survivors who suffered loss or damage from the severe storms and flooding that occurred September 11-13, 2023 may have already reported their damages to the State of Massachusetts, spoken to someone at FEMA, or registered for assistance.” in a community organization. That does not mean they have requested federal assistance from FEMA,” the organization said.
Applications can be submitted online, through the FEMA mobile app or by calling 1-(800) 621-3362, the agency said.
After FEMA initially denied a major disaster declaration, President Joe Biden overturned the ruling and issued an order for Bristol and Worcester counties, a move that opened up aid to residents.
The statement came after Healey appealed the denial, arguing that the storms “were devastating to our communities.”
“I saw the impacts firsthand: homes and businesses were destroyed, roads and bridges were inaccessible, and some residents had to be evacuated. Six months later, they are still rebuilding. “The state has done everything we can to support your recovery, but the needs far exceed our available resources,” he wrote in a letter to Biden.
Even though individual assistance has reached residents, FEMA has withheld dollars for one of the hardest hit areas.
Federal officials denied the city of Leominster, which saw 10 inches of rain over the course of four hours on Sept. 11, 2023, funds to repair city properties in the wake of the storms, which Mayor Dean Mazzarella previously said would They needed “extensive repairs.” “
“This 1,000-year storm destroyed month-old sidewalks, newly paved and striped roads, and even a recently replaced culvert. “It’s heartbreaking.” Mazzarella said in a statement last month. “We spent $2 million of city money just on temporary repairs to get our city back open.”
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