Gov. Gianforte Secures Individual Assistance for Montanans from FEMA

• June 30 2022

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte this morning announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for an individual assistance program for Montanans impacted by recent flooding.

“I appreciate Administrator Deanne Criswell and her team at FEMA for working with us to fast track Individual Assistance for Montanans impacted by the flooding disaster,” Gov. Gianforte said. “These funds will help Montanans get back on their feet as they rebuild and recover in the weeks and months ahead.”

Gov. Gianforte greets FEMA Administrator Criswell in Montana on June 17

Montanans in Park, Stillwater, and Carbon counties who have been impacted by flooding are encouraged to file a claim with their insurance company and apply for FEMA assistance.

Last week, Gov. Gianforte submitted a request to FEMA to activate the Individual Assistance program under the presidential major disaster declaration due to the devastating impacts recent flooding has had on Montanans’ private property and livelihoods.

The governor’s request demonstrated the need for direct federal assistance to impacted homeowners and communities in Park, Carbon, and Stillwater counties. This included initial damage assessments to primary residences and structures, as well as the severe impact on the region’s outdoor and tourism industries that employ many Montanans in the area.

Additionally, the governor’s request noted that affected communities are primarily in areas that are not easily accessible or do not have alternate routes, making residents particularly susceptible to both immediate and long-term consequences of the disaster.

The federal aid that accompanies the activation of the Individual Assistance program will supplement state and local resources already at work to support Montanans impacted by the flooding.

On June 14, Gov. Gianforte formally declared a statewide disaster due to flooding after verbally authorizing the declaration Monday, June 13.

On June 16, President Biden approved the state’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration, which provided access to the Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs for Park, Stillwater, and Carbon counties.

On June 23, Gov. Gianforte requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activate the Individual Assistance program.

On June 30, FEMA approved the governor’s request to activate the Individual Assistance program.

Information on how to apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, as well as resources available to communities and individuals impacted by recent flooding, can be found at floodrecovery.mt.gov.

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