For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 27, 2003
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement
Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a
severe winter storm, record/near record snowfall, heavy rain,
flooding, and mudslides on February 15-28, 2003.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in Buchanan, Dickenson, Montgomery, Russell,
Tazewell and Wise Counties and the Cities of Norton, Roanoke, and
Salem.
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, assistance for emergency protective measures that
were taken to save lives and protect public health, safety and property
over a 48-hour period is available to the Commonwealth and eligible
local governments in the following jurisdictions which experienced
record/near-record snowfall: the counties of Arlington, Clarke,
Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Highland, Loudoun, Orange, and
Rappahannock, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, and
Winchester.
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 Mr.
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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600
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