For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 26, 2003
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of
Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms, including high
winds and freezing temperatures on March 6-14, 2003.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Municipality of Anchorage.
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.
In addition, Federal funding is available to the State and eligible
local governments in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough and the Municipality of Anchorage on a cost-sharing basis for
the repair or replacement of damaged public facilities.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named William M. 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 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.
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