For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 14, 2003
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Ohio and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and
record/near record snow on February 14, 2003, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in a five county area. The counties include
Adams, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, and Scioto. Assistance can include
grants for temporary housing and 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 to the State and
eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or
replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe winter
storm/snow in the counties of Adams, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence,
Meigs, Pike, Scioto, and Vinton. In addition, assistance for
emergency protective measures undertaken to save lives, protect
public health and safety, and property is available for a period of
48 hours to the State and eligible local governments in the
counties of Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Guernsey, Madison, Monroe,
and Muskingum.
Federal funding is also available on a cost share basis
for hazard mitigation measures.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Acting Under Secretary for Emergency
Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named
Ron Sherman 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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