Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that President Joseph R. Biden has authorized an increase of 100% Federal cost share for the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program for debris removal and emergency protective measures by the counties and cities (governmental entities) included in the Disaster Declaration in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that impacted the State of Alabama on January 12, 2023. Today’s FEMA Major Disaster Declaration Amendment can be found here.

“I am beyond thankful to President Biden for this GREAT NEWS! From the beginning, President Biden has worked swiftly to respond to our calls by expediting the major disaster declaration for the State of Alabama,” said Rep. Sewell.  “Now, with this critical increase in FEMA Public Assistance, I am confident that we will build back stronger than before. I thank Governor Ivey and my colleagues in the Alabama Congressional Delegation for their support throughout this process. These critical resources will not only allow us to expedite the cleanup of all the properties destroyed by the storm, but our communities will also have the opportunity to build back stronger and to create a better future for the people of Alabama.”

“I want to thank President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Coach Tommy Tuberville, Senator Katie Britt and Governor Kay Ivey for working together with the City of Selma, Dallas County and the entire tornado destruction area to provide the 100% reimbursement declaration,” said Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. “This is truly a blessing for Selma. Thank you and I thank God for ‘favor’.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. After an event like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or wildfire, communities need help to cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure. More information on the FEMA Public Assistance program can be found here

The Federal Cost Share relates only to public assistance provided to governmental entities and does not include individual assistance. Uninsured individuals in the designated areas who have been impacted by the January 12th storms still must apply for individual assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number forthat service.

Congresswoman Sewell and the Alabama Congressional Delegation’s letter to President Biden can be found here