For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 26, 2004
Statement on Federal Assistance for Florida from Hurricane Jeanne
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Jeanne beginning on
September 24, 2004, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Brevard, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands,
Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola,
Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter, and
Volusia.
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 also is available on a cost share basis to State
and eligible local governments in the counties of Brevard, Citrus,
DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough,
Indian River, Lake, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange,
Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, St. Lucie,
Sumter, and Volusia for debris removal and emergency protective
measures, including direct Federal assistance. For a period of up to
72 hours, Federal funding is available at 100 percent of the total
eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures,
including direct Federal assistance.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures statewide.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named William L. Carwile,
III as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations
in the affected area.
The Agency said that more counties and additional forms of
assistance may be designated after damage assessments can be completed
in the affected area.
The Agency said that those who sustained losses in the counties
designated for aid to affected individuals and business owners can
begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or
1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing impaired. The toll-free telephone
numbers will be in operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week until
further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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