For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 5, 2002
President Orders Federal Aid for West Virginia Disaster
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of
West Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and
landslides on May 2, 2002, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in a four county area. The counties include
McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming.
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 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 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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