For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 14, 2002
President Orders Federal Aid for Mississippi
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
State of Mississippi and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and
local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and
tornadoes on November 10-11, 2002.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in Lowndes, Monroe, Clay, Oktibbeha, and Noxubee
Counties.
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.
Federal funding also is available to the State and
eligible local governments in Lowndes County on a cost-sharing
basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged
by the severe storms and tornadoes. 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 Michael Bolch 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 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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