Manassas Park to Receive FEMA Funds for Storm Damage

Manassas Park is one of several jurisdictions in Northern Virginia that will receive federal aid as a result of damage done by the that moved through the area on June 29, according to a White House press release.

On Friday, President Barack Obama ordered federal aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and straight-line winds from June 29 to July 1, 2012.

Federal funding is available to commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities, according to the release.

It is not yet clear how much money Manassas Park will receive, City Manager James "Jim" Zumwalt told InsideNova.

was more than $48,000; the threshold for applying for assistance, Zumwalt said in the report.

City officials said Manassas Park was spared from any major damage during the fierce storm that took down the E-911 dispatch system in the city as well as Prince William and Fairfax Counties.

Several places in Manassas Park, including the, lost power for a prolonged period, but it was restored by the city's electric provider.

On July 23, Gov. Bob McDonnell requested FEMA assistance for Manassas Park and several other Virginia cities and counties. Manassas Park neighbors Prince William County and Manassas weren't included on the governor's list.

FEMA officials said additional designations may be made at a later, if requested by the commonwealth or if needed after further damage assessments.

"Tragically, we lost 15 lives as a result of the recent storms that impacted the Commonwealth," McDonnell said on July 23. "Many more Virginians suffered property damage and lost power for extended periods of time during a record heat wave.The historic derecho storm and the follow-up thunderstorms required extraordinary response and recovery efforts at the local and state levels."

Donald L. Keldsen is the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas, according to information from the White House.

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