The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is now accepting disaster-relief funding applications for historic properties in the state that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

To be eligible for Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Assistance Grants for Historic Properties, a storm-damaged property must be: listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places; owned by private individuals or organizations (excepting religious entities), local governments or the state; and have documented damage that resulted from the effects of the storm. Repair work funded by the grants must also be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and in compliance with a number of other state and federal regulations. Already-completed projects may be eligible for funding if they meet applicable requirements.

Applications must be postmarked or submitted no later than March 21, 2014. Successful applicants will receive notification of their awards no later than April 21, 2014.

Go the following for complete information on Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Assistance Grants for Historic Properties:

Summary of Information

Program Guidelines and Application

Electronic Application

Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Assistance Grants for Historic Properties are funded under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013, a $50.7 billion package of disaster assistance largely focused on responding to the effects of the destructive hurricane which struck the East Coast of the United States in late October 2012. The hurricane prompted major disaster declarations in the District of Columbia and 12 states, including Delaware. As part of the act, Congress appropriated $50 million to cover the costs of preserving and/or rehabilitating historic properties damaged by the storm. Subsequently, $1 million was allocated for Delaware’s component of the program which is being administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ State Historic Preservation Office.

For additional information about Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Assistance Grants for Historic Properties, contact the following:

Overall program administration
Gwen Davis, deputy state historic preservation officer, 302-736-7410 or gwen.davis@delaware.gov

Program and grant management
Joan Larrivee, architectural historian, 302-736-7406 or joan.larrivee@delaware.gov

National Register of Historic Places questions
Madeline Dunn, historian, 302-736-7417 or madeline.dunn@delaware.gov

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov

(Washington, DC)  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Delaware to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Tropical Storm Sandy during the period of October 27 to November 8, 2012.

The action by President Obama makes federal funding available to state, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Sandy in Kent, New Castle, and Sussex Counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Additional disaster damage designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State of Delaware and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

A number of Delawareans have asked how they can help victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey.  A check with officials in each location turned up these suggestions:

• Do not send donations of old clothing.  Emergency officials are not equipped to launder, sort, warehouse, or distribute such items.  
• Cash donations are needed.  Necessary items can be purchased locally or regionally and distributed to people in need.  
• Donations to the American Red Cross, Goodwill Industries or Salvation Army can be made online.
• Companies wishing to make donations to New York should go to www.governor.ny.gov and click on the box “Companies Looking to Make Donations to Sandy victims.
• Those wanting to assist victims in New Jersey can make donations to the New Jersey Relief Fund.  Click on SandyNJReliefFund.org to make online donations via a credit card.  Checks can also be mailed to New Jersey Relief Fund, P.O. Box 95, Mendham, NJ 07945-0095.

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Wilmington –  In his weekly message, the Governor expresses gratitude to Delawareans for pulling together and helping one another get through Hurricane Sandy.

“Our state, local private and non-profit organizations and emergency responders at every level pulled together to get us through this storm,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Many went without sleep or seeing their families to work through the storm. Delawareans displayed an incredible amount of patience with Mother Nature and while we fared better than the forecast predicted and better than surrounding states, our hearts go out to the millions of people in places outside of Delaware who remain traumatized by the storm.”

At noon every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form.  The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/EAoT5b20H50
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/information/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Thanking Delawareans for Hurricane Sandy Response

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This is a message of thanks.  Thanks to the emergency responders, state agencies, non-profits like Red Cross, volunteers, homeowners and residents of Delaware for pulling together and helping one another get through Hurricane Sandy.

Thank you for heeding the emergency evacuations; for leaving your homes in some cases and going to shelters in others.  For staying off the roads, coping with power outages and placing safety first.

We took the threat seriously and we prepared accordingly.  That’s the way we protect ourselves, our homes and our state.  Our state, local private and non-profit organizations and emergency responders at every level pulled together to get us through this storm.

Many went without sleep or seeing their families to work through the storm. Delawareans displayed an incredible amount of patience with Mother Nature and while we fared better than the forecast predicted and better than surrounding states, our hearts go out to the millions of people in places outside of Delaware who remain traumatized by the storm.  We have our own challenges ahead, as water recedes in our coastal communities and FEMA, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, local authorities and home and business owners assess damage.  We will pick ourselves up from where this storm left us, grateful we didn’t sustain the worst, knowing we got through it because we stayed together and worked together as Delawareans.  And,  I thank you as citizens, state employees, emergency responders, volunteers and others, each doing your jobs and doing your best to keep Delaware moving forward.