For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 29, 2003
Statement on Federal Assistance for New York
Statement by the Deputy Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of New York and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and
tornadoes on July 21, 2003, through August 13, 2003.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chemung, Columbia, Delaware,
Fulton, Greene, Livingston, Montgomery, Ontario, Rensselaer, Schuyler,
Steuben, and Yates Counties.
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 is available to State and eligible local
governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of
public facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes
in the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chemung, Columbia, Delaware,
Fulton, Livingston, Montgomery, Ontario, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Justo Hernandez 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 designated for assistance 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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