Roughly two months after the first heavy snowfall of winter—remember that storm?—the storm was officially declared a "major disaster" by President Barack Obama. And the announcement comes with a gift: A press release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that loads of counties and cities—including Albemarle and Charlottesville—are eligible for financial assistance.
Money is available through a cost-sharing program—meaning, federal assistance covers "not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration." (Via FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Division.) The remaining costs may be split among other "sub grantees."
