For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 29, 2002
President Orders Federal Aid for Illinois
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of
Illinois and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding on
April 21, 2002, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in a 30-county area. The counties include Alexander, Clay,
Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton,
Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Massac,
Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, St. Clair, Saline,
Union, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson.
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 Robert R. Colangelo 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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