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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 16, 2001

Statement by the Press Secretary

The  President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Maine and  ordered  Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms and flooding on March 5-31, 2001.

The  President's  action  makes Federal funding available to affected local governments  in  a three county area. The counties include Franklin, Oxford and York.

Federal   funding   is   available  to  eligible  local  governments  on  a cost-sharing  basis  for  the  repair  or  replacement of public facilities damaged  by the severe winter storms and flooding.  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  Marianne  Jackson  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  assistance  and counties may be added after the assessments are completed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.

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