For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 4, 2002
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms,
flooding, coastal erosion and tidal surge on October 23, 2002, through
November 12, 2002.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Kodiak
Island Borough and the Chignik Bay area, to include Chignik Lake and
Chignik Lagoon.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and repairs,
low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other
programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the
effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is available to the State and eligible local
governments in the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the Chignik Bay area
to include Chignik Lake and Chignik Lagoon on a cost-sharing
basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities
damaged by the severe winter storms, flooding, coastal erosion
and tidal surge. Federal funding is also available on a cost
share basis for hazard mitigation measures.
Joe M. Allbaugh, Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), named William Lokey as the Federal
Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected
area.
The Agency said that damage surveys are continuing in other
areas, and additional areas may be added after the assessments are
completed.
The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained
losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance
tomorrow by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY)
for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone
numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until
further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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