The Feds surprised Maryland by covering 100 percent of the state?s expenses housing evacuees from Hurricane Katrina during the last year, state officials told The Examiner.
“At this point, we have been reimbursed for every request that we submitted to [the Federal Emergency Management Agency]. They reimbursed those expenses at 100 percent. Typically they reimburse at 75 percent,” said Michelle Stallings, director of Emergency Operations for the Department of Human Resources.
As of Monday, FEMA approved $1,566,520 in reimbursements for Maryland?s Emergency Protective Measures. FEMA makes the funds available and the Maryland Emergency Management Authority disburses the funds to the state and local governments.
“Of the $1.5 million, $212,498 was approved for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development,” said FEMA spokeswoman Niki Edwards.
According to the Department of Human Resources, Maryland received more than $550,000 for housing, and an additional $1 million for other resources, money, and assistance.
“The companies and even the nonprofits who were eligible for reimbursement also received payment,” Stallings said. “It wasn?t like pulling teeth. I?m still pinching myself.”
