Flooding caused by Henri in Helmetta, N.J.Photo source: var.org
Washington DC: US President Joe Biden has declared emergency in the State of Vermont and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Henri beginning on August 22, 2021, and continuing.
Henri has deluged Northeast after rare New England landfall today. The storm made landfall in Westerly, Rhode Island, around 12:15 p.m. (local time) with sustained winds of 60 mph.
The President’s action authorises the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population. It also authorises them to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding, a White House press communique said today.
– global bihari bureau
