|
Kentucky Emergency Management
Kentucky Emergency Management Announces Hazard Mitigation Award
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 9, 2012) - The Commonwealth of Kentucky has received notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of its approval of a mitigation project grant for the city of Cumberland, in Harlan County, Kentucky. The mitigation grant, in the amount of $2,944,444, will be administered by the Kentucky Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Program.
FEMA will provide 90 percent or $2.6 million of the project funding; the Kentucky Department for Local Government will provide 9 percent or $264,960 and Harlan County Fiscal Court will provide 1 percent or $30,000.00.
The project includes the improvement of the Russell Drive culvert off Big Cove Branch by installing a 48-inch box culvert to be directed southward to Looney Creek, bypassing the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Cumberland Central Business District, replace four sewage lift stations, install 16 backup generators in three communities (Cumberland, Benham, and Lynch) and install seven warning sirens in those same three communities.
These funds were awarded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program under the Legislative Pre-disaster Mitigation Program. This grant will be administered through the Kentucky Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Program. Hazard mitigation is recognized as any action taken to eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to human life and property from natural and technological hazards. While preparedness and response focus primarily on reacting to a disaster itself, mitigation is a continuous activity intended to assist families and communities become more disaster-proof.
An award briefing with local officials is scheduled to be held Friday, April 13, 2012, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Cumberland Senior Center next to the Court House.
For additional information on the State Hazard Mitigation Program, visit www.kyem.ky.gov/assistance/hazardmitigation.
- 30 -
|