For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 14, 2003
Statement on Federal Assistance for Maine
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Maine and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by severe winter cold and frost on December
17, 2002, and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the State and eligible local
governments in the counties of Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland,
Franklin, Hancock, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and
Washington on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of
public facilities damaged by the severe winter cold and frost. Federal
funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard mitigation
measures.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named James N. Russo 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 added for assistance after the
assessments are completed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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