County may receive federal aid for January storm damage

Many Pinal County residents sustained damage to their homes and property due to the severe winter storms and related flooding in January.
 
The state had requested that the county assist with collecting data from those individuals for possible financial recovery through either the state or FEMA. Pinal County Emergency Management staff thanks everyone who contacted the hotline to report damage.
 
As a result of this effort, Pinal County was able to supply specific damage information to the state. Representatives from state assessment teams made a number of on-site visits to those areas most affected by the winter storm. 
 
Governor Jan Brewer made a request on Feb. 16 for President Obama to include nine Arizona counties and six tribal nations in a major disaster declaration. 
 
“A federal declaration would bring further assistance to the recovery effort and help shoulder the cost of restoring impacted communities,” Brewer said in a press release.
 
While the damage in Pinal County was extensive, the Arizona Division of Emergency Management is still in the process of evaluating all damaged areas. Further information will be made available if federal aid is approved.
 
“At this time, we do not anticipate receiving federal aid that would go to individual property owners,” said Lou Miranda of Pinal County Emergency Management.  “Any funds allocated to the state may result in recovery assistance for public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, public schools and so forth.  Homeowners are advised to work through the normal claims process with their insurance companies.”

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