For Immediate Release
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
September 19, 2004
Statement on Federal Assistance for Pennsylvania from Tropical Depression Ivan
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and ordered Federal aid to supplement
Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Tropical
Depression Ivan beginning on September 17, 2004, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler,
Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphhin, Indiana, Lackawanna, Luzerne,
Lycoming, Northampton, Perry, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Washington,
Westmoreland, and Wyoming.
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 also is available on a cost share basis to State
and eligible local governments in the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong,
Beaver, Butler, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphhin, Indiana,
Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Northampton, Perry, Schuylkill,
Susquehanna, Washington, Westmoreland, and Wyoming for debris removal
and emergency protective measures.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures statewide.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas Davies 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 by
calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing
and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers 24 hours a day,
seven days a week until further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
###
|