For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 26, 2002
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 Tropical Storm Fay on September 6, 2002,
and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in a nine-county area. The counties include Brazoria, Frio,
Galveston, La Salle, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, San Patricio, and
Wharton.
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 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 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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