More than $3.8 million in funding has been awarded thus far for Hurricane Sandy recovery, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced recently.

The total amount thus far, $3,816,521, will be funded by PEMA and FEMA on a cost-sharing basis through the Public Assistance program. FEMA has obligated $2,862,391, or 75 percent. The Commonwealth will cover $954,130, or 25 percent.

The majority of these initial funding awards are for emergency protective measures and debris removal due to Hurricane Sandy.

Examples of Public Assistance projects include work to recover public roads, bridges, culverts and other elements of the infrastructure.

The program may also fund the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly-owned facilities and certain private nonprofit organizations.

The projects that are being funded are eligible because they are a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

"We continue to work with FEMA on the review of each Public Assistance application to determine which projects are eligible for assistance from Hurricane Sandy," said PEMA Commonwealth Coordinating Officer Glenn M. Cannon.

More funding is forthcoming as PEMA and FEMA continue to review applications for projects to help return roads, bridges, utilities and other storm-impacted elements of the infrastructure to as close to their pre-Hurricane Sandy condition as possible.

"As Hurricane Sandy recovery continues, we remain in partnership with the Commonwealth to ensure each Public Assistance project receives the full amount of funding for which it is eligible," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool.

FEMA manages the Public Assistance program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

Eighteen counties are designated in the Major Disaster Declaration that President Obama signed on Jan. 10, 2013, to help Pennsylvania recover from Hurricane Sandy. The 18 counties include: Bedford, Bucks, Cameron, Dauphin, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Monroe, Montgomery (added on Jan. 17, 2013), Northampton, Philadelphia (added on Feb. 13, 2013), Pike, Potter, Somerset, Sullivan and Wyoming.

The deadline for new applicants to request Public Assistance was on April 10, 2013. Under significant mitigating circumstances, additional applicants may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

All counties within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Mitigation funding may cover costs of eligible projects to lessen the impact of future disasters.

For more information, visit FEMA.gov.

Today's top stories

Blalock Crews Build TDOT's $67M Newport Bypass

New Bridges Part of Iowa's $114M Madison Avenue Project

Eagle Bridge Co. Works On Final Leg of U.S. 35 Upgrade

SAKAI Achieves Record Sales, Production

Takeuchi Recognizes Top Dealers at 2024 Dealer Summit

Equip Expo's Summer Giveaway Offers a Chance for Lifetime Trade Show Registration, Gift Card, Hotel Stay

Tennessee's Pugmill Systems LLC Expands Its Product Offerings to Include Concrete Plants

ASCENDUM Machinery Opens New Savannah, Ga., Facility