Hopkins County Commissioners may be a little closer to receiving federal disaster funds after a Tuesday meeting with a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA. We get the latest on potential disaster funds from County Judge Robert Newsom. Newsom says two specific plans are being pursued by the county.
One is a state of Texas plan that would provide $350,000 total for the county. That money from the Department of Agriculture, which Newsom called “likely to get”, could be available in September. A grant writer is assisting with that project. Newsom said money arriving in September would be immediately utilized by the four precincts.
The second money source is FEMA. Three meetings will be necessary to secure funds. The first meeting, which has been held, provided information to the federal assistance program. Commissioner Precinct 1 is leading the effort to secure these funds. The funds would be used for roads, bridges, any buildings that have been damaged in the county. FEMA money will not arrive soon, according to Newsom. He said the money would probably not arrive until winter and then the money must be used in the following six months. Newsom said the money will arrive at a time that is not complimentary to road repair.
Winter and spring weather in 2015 created much damage to local roads, according to Newsom.
