For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 1, 2004
Statement on Federal Assistance for Michigan
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of
Michigan and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding on
May 20-24, 2004.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Barry, Berrien, Cass, Genesee, Gladwin,
Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Oakland,
Ottawa, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, and Wayne.
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 in the counties of Arenac, Barry, Barrien, Cass,
Genesee, Gladwin, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, Macomb,
Mecosta, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St.
Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Wayne.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Marianne Jackson as
the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the
affected area.
The Agency said that additional designations may be made at a later
date if requested by the State 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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