LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials scheduled a series of applicant briefings to help local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations apply for federal disaster recovery assistance. These briefings will be open to representatives of the declared counties affected by the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that began on June 1.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance (PA) Program provides federal funds to reimburse a minimum of 75 percent of the costs for removing debris, conducting emergency measures, repairing roads, bridges, public utilities, water control facilities, public buildings and parks. The State of Nebraska and the applying agency cover the remaining costs.

Government entities eligible to participate include local, county and state governments, Indian Tribal organizations and eligible nonprofits. Eligible nonprofits may include educational facilities, emergency, medical, rehabilitation, temporary and permanent custodial care facilities (including those for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities). Museums, zoos, community centers, libraries, shelter workshops, homeless shelters and any health and safety service of a governmental nature, may also be eligible.

Potentially eligible participants should attend any one of the following NEMA applicant briefings:

Additional PA briefings are being scheduled in August for applicants in other declared counties.

The 53 Nebraska counties now eligible for PA are: Antelope, Arthur, Blaine, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Burt, Cass, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Colfax, Cum...