For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 10, 2001
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists
in the State of
Illinois and ordered Federal aid
to supplement state and local recovery
efforts in the area struck
by flooding beginning on April 18, 2001, and continuing.
The
President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in a six county area. The
counties include Carroll, Hancock, Henderson, Jo Daviess, Rock Island
and Whiteside.
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.
Assistance is also available for debris removal (Category A)
and emergency
protective measures (Category B) in the counties of Adams,
Calhoun,
Carroll, Hancock, Henderson, Mercer, Pike, Rock Island
and Whiteside.
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 Robert R.
Colangelo 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 may begin applying for
assistance tomorrow by calling 1-800-462-9029, 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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