N.H. approved for wind storm disaster monies

DOVER - President Barack Obama delivered a bright spot in otherwise crummy weather Monday. He granted New Hampshire's request for a major disaster declaration from late February's wind storm.

Gov. John Lynch sought the declaration, which will make public assistance available for impacted communities in Strafford, Rockingham, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Sullivan counties.

Lynch's office says preliminary and partial damage assessments compiled by the state and local communities exceed $10 million.

"Communities across New Hampshire face significant costs as a result of their efforts to help the hundreds of thousands of people who lost power as a result of this wind storm and continue to remove heavy debris," Lynch said. "I'm pleased that President Obama has issued this disaster declaration to provide assistance to our hard-hit communities."

Public assistance helps local communities and the state cover emergency operations and repair costs to infrastructure and public buildings. The declaration also includes hazard mitigation for all 10 counties.

Members of Congress applaused Obama's decision.

"Last month's storm left hundreds of thousands of people without power and negatively impacted our local communities," said Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-Rochester. "This disaster declaration will provide important resources to the communities most affected by the storm."

"These storms left hundreds of thousands of Granite State families and small businesses reeling from huge damage bills," said Rep. Paul Hodes, D-Concord. "I wish to thank Gov. Lynch for his response from the onset of this storm, and President Obama who made right decision in making this disaster declaration. Thankfully, for some of our worst hit communities, help is on the way."

"This year's winter storm left homes and businesses across New Hampshire severely damaged," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-Madbury, said. "President Obama's disaster declaration will help the families and businesses that are struggling to recover, and I'm grateful that these resources will now be available."