For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 7, 2002
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President declared a major disaster exists in the State of
Missouri and ordered Federal aid to supplement
state and local recovery efforts in the
area struck by a severe winter ice storm on January 29,
2002, and continuing.
The
President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Adair, Audrain, Bates,
Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay,
Clinton, Cooper, Grundy,
Henry, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon,
Monroe, Morgan, Pettis, Platte, Randolph, Ray,
Saline, Shelby, St. Clair,
Sullivan and Vernon. 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.
Federal funding also is available to
eligible local governments in the counties of
Bates, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Howard, Jackson, Johnson,
Lafayette, Linn, Pettis, Platte, Randolph, Ray
and Saline. Assistance is
available on a cost-sharing basis for the repair
or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe
winter ice storm. 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 William Lokey 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 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 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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