BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $1.3 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Massachusetts Port Authority for some of the costs of removing snow at Logan Airport after Winter Storm Kenan in early 2022.
Massport will receive a total of $1,261,828 in federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program to reimburse it for the costs of snow removal, salting and de-icing after the January 28-29 “bomb cyclone” produced blizzard conditions in some parts of New England.
Keenan caused record or near record snow fall in four counties in Massachusetts, including the city of Boston and the Boston Logan International Airport. This created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public and improved property, requiring emergency response and protective measures.
The grant will reimburse Massport for 9,546 overtime hours for its workers between Jan. 28 and Jan. 30; the cost of operating equipment such as snowplows and salt spreaders; purchasing materials like salt and meals for workers; and contracting for snow melting services.
President Joe Biden’s disaster declaration made federal funding available to commonwealth, tribal and eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities in Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties, and for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
FEMA has awarded nearly $18 million in Public Assistance grants to state and local governments for the disaster to date.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to reimburse Massport for the costs incurred recovering from Winter Storm Kenan,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Re-opening a critical facility like Logan Airport required extraordinary measures deserving of federal assistance.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.