For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 16, 2001
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico and ordered Federal aid to
supplement commonwealth and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding
and mudslides beginning on May 6, 2001, and continuing.
The
President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the municipalities of Cabo Rojo, Lajas, Guánica,
Guayanilla, San Germán and Yauco.
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 Justo Hernandez 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
municipalities 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 1-800-462-9029, 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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