For Immediate Release
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
September 3, 2004
Statement by the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement
Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe
storms, flooding and tornadoes associated with Tropical Depression
Gaston beginning on August 30, 2004, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the independent cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell,
Petersburg, and Richmond, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie,
Hanover, Henrico, and Prince George.
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 for all jurisdictions in the Commonwealth.
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 damage surveys are continuing in other areas,
and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated
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 1-800-621-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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