For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 2, 2002
President Orders Federal Aid for Oklahoma
Statement by the Press Secretary
On February 1, 2002, the President declared a major disaster exists in
the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and
local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter ice storm
on January 30, 2002, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
local governments in a 28 county area. The counties include Alfalfa,
Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cimarron, Custer, Dewey,
Ellis, Garfield, Grant, Harper, Kay, Kingfisher, Logan, Major, Noble,
Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Roger Mills, Texas, Washington,
Washita, Woods and Woodward.
Federal funding is available to eligible local governments on a
cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective
measures, including direct Federal assistance, at 75 percent Federal
funding. 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 James Roche 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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