For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 18, 2003
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement State
and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Isabel on
September 18, 2003, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal finding available to affected
individuals in the independent cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia
Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Franklin, Hampton, Poquoson, Newport News,
Alexandria, Williamsburg, Hopewell, and Emporia, and the counties of
Greensville, Southampton, Northampton, Accomack, Isle of Wight, Sussex,
Surry, Prince George, Charles City, James City, York, Gloucester,
Mathews, Middlesex, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and
Richmond.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home
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 State and eligible local
governments in the independent cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia
Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Franklin, Hampton, Poquoson, Newport News,
Alexandria, Williamsburg, Hopewell, and Emporia, and the counties of
Greensville, Southampton, Northampton, Accomack, Isle of Wight, Sussex,
Surry, Prince George, Charles City, James City, York, Gloucester,
Mathews, Middlesex, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and
Richmond on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency
protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under the
Public Assistance program, at 75 percent Federal funding.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Louis H. Botta 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 more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated
after the assessments are completed.
The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained
losses in the designated counties 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 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week until further
notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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