FEMA awarded $1.1 million to repair power distribution systems, Saline and Garland Counties will benefit

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded more than $1.1 million to the state of Arkansas for repair work on First Electric Co-op power distribution systems in 10 counties that were damaged in the aftermath of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in April.

The funding covered the replacement of hundreds of power poles, as well as capacitors, transformers and lightning arrestors in Arkansas, Cleburne, Faulkner, Garland, Lonoke, Perry, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline and White counties.

“We are committed to helping Arkansas recover from these storms, tornadoes and flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell. “Power distribution systems are a key component in the rebuilding of a community after a disaster, and therefore should be repaired as soon as possible.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program funds represent the federal government’s 75 percent cost share of the total estimated $1.5 million project. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Arkansas; the state then forwards the grant to the eligible applicant.

The purpose of FEMA’s Public Assistance program is to provide assistance to eligible state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared.