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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 10, 2001

Statement by the Press Secretary

The  President  today  declared  a  major  disaster  exists in the State of Illinois  and  ordered  Federal  aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts  in  the  area  struck by flooding beginning on April 18, 2001, and continuing.

The   President's  action  makes  Federal  funding  available  to  affected individuals  in  a  six county area. The counties include Carroll, Hancock, Henderson, Jo Daviess, Rock Island and Whiteside.

Assistance  can  include  disaster housing, grants, low-cost loans to cover uninsured  property  losses,  and  other  programs  to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Assistance  is also available for debris removal (Category A) and emergency protective  measures  (Category  B)  in  the  counties  of  Adams, Calhoun, Carroll,  Hancock,  Henderson,  Mercer,  Pike,  Rock  Island and Whiteside. 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  Robert R. Colangelo 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 counties may be added after the assessments are completed.

The  Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the  designated  counties  may  begin  applying  for assistance tomorrow by calling  1-800-462-9029, 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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