For Immediate Release
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
April 22, 2004
Statement on Federal Assistance for Massachusetts
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and ordered Federal aid to supplement
Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding
beginning on April 1, 2004, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in a four county area. The counties include Essex,
Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Worcester.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home
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 is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named James N. Russo as the
Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the
affected area.
The agency said additional designations may be made at a later date
if requested by the Commonwealth and warranted by the results of
further damage assessments.
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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