For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 19, 2003
Statement on Federal Assistance for Maryland
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of
Maryland 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 funding available to affected
individuals in the Independent City of Baltimore and the counties of
Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil,
Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent,
Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's,
Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester.
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 City of Baltimore and the counties of
Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil,
Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent,
Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's,
Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester 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 William Lokey as the
Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the
affected area.
The Agency said that damage surveys are continuing, and additional
forms of assistance for the State and local government agencies 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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