Biden approves Delaware Ida disaster declaration

Flooding ravaged parts of Wilmington following Hurricane Ida. | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY WILMINGTON

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden approved Delaware’s major disaster declaration following the flood damage of Hurricane Ida.

The approval came Sunday, more than a month after Gov. John Carney submitted the request after Ida tore through the region Sept. 1 to 7.

The request included FEMA’s Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs, as well as assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Requests for Public Assistance and assistance from the SBA were approved for New Castle County and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding was approved statewide. The state’s request for assistance under FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is still under review. 

Public Assistance provides funding for state, local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis, for emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged as a result of the event.  The request for Individual Assistance, the most impactful request which may provide direct assistance to homeowners and renters affected by the flooding, is still being reviewed.

In a statement, Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Director AJ Schall said, “We are grateful that the request to aid affected governments and nonprofits, was approved and are hopeful that FEMA will be able to provide support directly to our residents who are still struggling to recover from this historic event.”

To submit eligible projects, state and local government agencies and eligible nonprofits should register through the website: https://tinyurl.com/demaidagrant or to learn more contact Joshua.Kelly@delaware.gov.

To apply for Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Assistance, businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters should go to https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or contact the SBA Customer Service Center by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.