For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 27, 2002
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and
local recovery efforts in the area struck by Tropical Storm Isidore
beginning on September 21, 2002, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to
affected individuals in 12 parishes. The parishes include
Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St.
Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa,
and Terrebonne.
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 to eligible local
governments on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency
protective measures to protect life and property damaged by
Tropical Storm Isidore. 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 Carlos Mitchell 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 parishes may be added after the
assessments are completed.
The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained
losses in the designated parishes 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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