For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 25, 2002
Disaster Declaration for Arizona
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
State of Arizona and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and
local recovery efforts in the area struck by wildfires beginning June
18, 2002, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in Apache and Navajo Counties and the Fort
Apache Indian Reservation.
Assistance can include disaster housing, grants, 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 eligible local governments
in Apache and Navajo Counties on a cost-sharing basis for debris
removal, and the restoration of roads, bridges and public
buildings damaged by the wildfires. 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 Scott Wells 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 and assistance to state and local
government agencies may be added after the assessments are completed.
The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained
losses in the designated jurisdictions 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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