Chapter 8 › V.D.1–2 Utilities; Power Restoration; Right-of-Way Clearance

How does FEMA handle damaged utilities and power restoration?

FEMA term

Category F: Utilities; power restoration

Short answer

Water, power, natural gas, sewer and communication systems are Category F. Power restoration that is both an emergency and permanent work can be claimed as either Category B or Category F, with different consequences.

What FEMA requires

Claimed as Category B: regular hours of budgeted staff are not eligible, and no hazard mitigation is available.
Claimed as Category F: mitigation is available.
Maintaining your right-of-way is your responsibility. FEMA funds limited clearance of incident debris to reach the facility, and removal of damaged trees an arborist confirms threaten it. Further clearance is ineligible.

Documentation

Records supporting the category choice, crew timesheets, arborist findings for tree removal, and maintenance records for the right-of-way.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Decide Category B or F for power restoration deliberately. F keeps budgeted regular time and mitigation in play.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.