For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 5, 2002
President Orders Federal Aid for Virginia Disaster
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
severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding on April 28, 2002, through May
3, 2002.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in Buchanan and Tazewell Counties.
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 is also available on a cost share basis
for hazard mitigation measures.
Joe M. Allbaugh, Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), named Louis H. Botta 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 assistance and 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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