New Hampshire has received a $20 million federal grant to aid in the reconstruction of coastal seawalls weakened by storms and flooding. In addition, the state has been granted a major disaster declaration for a storm that occurred in January, enabling it to recover associated costs. The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) awarded the grant to reinforce stone barriers along Route 1A in North Hampton and Rye. This measure aims to mitigate flooding, structural damage, and the time required for post-storm cleanup, thus enhancing travel efficiency. The grant is part of the FHA’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation program. Separately, President Joe Biden approved New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu’s request for a major disaster declaration for Rockingham and Grafton counties in response to the January storm’s destructive impact. A Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in collaboration with state and local emergency management officials determined the statewide cost of the response efforts to be slightly over $3 million. The disaster declaration will facilitate recovery efforts in the communities affected by the flooding and power outages in January.
