For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 18, 2003
Statement on Federal Assistance for Texas
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Texas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Claudette on July 15, 2003, and
continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in the counties of Calhoun, Jackson, Matagorda,
Refugio, and Victoria.
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.
Federal funding is available to State and eligible local
governments in the counties of Calhoun, Jackson, Matagorda,
Refugio, and Victoria on a cost-sharing basis for emergency
protective measures at 75 percent Federal funding.
In addition, Federal funding is also available on a cost-share
basis for hazard mitigation measures.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Carlos Mitchell 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 more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated
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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