Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster announced today funding for Huntingdon County as it prepares for future natural disasters.  The Huntingdon Emergency Management Agency has been awarded $45,416.64 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program.  

“This is a relatively new program available through FEMA, but its value is clear because it will help local areas prepare themselves for disasters,” said Shuster, who is the chairman of the subcommittee that oversees FEMA.  “Local officials know what to expect and these grants give them enough flexibility to meet the demands of their towns and communities.” 

The Multi-Hazard Mitigation grant will be used to help local municipalities plan for future disasters, including the heavy rainfall received over the last year.  This will help implement cost-effective projects, such as buyouts of flood-prone buildings, construction of safe rooms, elevation of homes located in the floodplain or making structures more resistant to disaster events. 

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program was first authorized in 2000 and first funded in fiscal year 2003.

Shuster is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, which is part of the Transportation Committee in Congress.  The grant is administered through FEMA, which is under the Department of Homeland Security.