For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 29, 2003
President Orders Federal Aid to Florida
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding on
June 13, 2003, and continuing.
Federal funding is available to State and eligible local
governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of
public facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in the
counties of Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Levy, Manatee, and
Sarasota.
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 Peter Martinasco 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 designated for assistance after the
assessments are completed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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