Here's a breakdown of the types of activities that might be eligible for reimbursement in flood fighting under FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program:

Emergency Protective Measures (Category B):

• Activities with a direct impact on saving lives and protecting public health and safety qualify for reimbursement under Category B of FEMA's PA program. In the context of flood fighting, this could include:
  • Sandbagging operations to prevent floodwaters from entering structures or critical infrastructure.
  • Evacuation and sheltering of people from flooded areas.
  • Search and rescue of people trapped in floodwaters.
  • Traffic control measures to protect public safety and divert traffic from flooded areas.
  • Diking and temporary levee construction to divert floodwaters. (Note:  Permanent repairs to levees typically fall under FEMA's permanent work programs)
  • Operating emergency pumps to remove floodwaters from critical infrastructure or public property.

Important Considerations:

• Costs must be necessary and reasonable:  Only expenses directly related to the flood fighting activities and essential for protecting lives or property are eligible.
• Proper documentation is crucial: Maintain detailed records of the flood fighting activities undertaken, the threats addressed, and all associated costs.

Other Potentially Reimbursable Activities:

• Debris Removal (Category A): Removal of debris blocking critical infrastructure or access routes, posing an immediate threat to public health or safety, might be eligible under Category A. This could include flood debris like:
  • Large objects blocking waterways or roads
  • Debris posing a health hazard (e.g., animal carcasses)

Activities Generally Not Eligible:

• Long-term repairs or permanent replacements:  These typically fall under FEMA's permanent work programs.
• Preventative measures not directly related to an immediate threat:  For example, stockpiling sandbags in advance of a flood season wouldn't be eligible.

Finding More Information:

• FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG): Chapter 2: Public Assistance Policy, Section V Cost Eligibility ([invalid URL removed]) offers a comprehensive overview of eligible costs under PA.
• FEMA Public Assistance: Category A - Debris Removal including Private Property Debris: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_pa-category-a-debris-removal-ppdr-factsheet.pdf
• FEMA Eligible Emergency Protective Measures - Fact Sheet: While superseded by a more recent policy document, this fact sheet provides a general overview of eligible measures: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/eligible-emergency-protective-measures

Remember, FEMA regulations can be intricate.  For the most up-to-date information and to determine if your specific flood fighting activities qualify for reimbursement, it's always recommended to consult directly with FEMA.

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