For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 6, 2002
President Declares Disaster Area in 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 severe storms, tornadoes, and
flooding on October 24, 2002, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in Nueces county.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and 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.
Joe M. Allbaugh, Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), named Sandra L. Coachman 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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