THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
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____
For Immediate Release
January 8, 2001
PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER EXISTS
IN THE STATE OF TEXAS
President Clinton today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Texas and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by a severe winter ice storm beginning on
December 12, 2000, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to individuals
and local governments in a three county area. The counties include Bowie,
Cass and Red River.
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) at 75 percent Federal funding.
Federal funding is also available on a cost share basis for hazard
mitigation measures.
James L. Witt, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), named A.D. Rodham 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 counties may be added after the assessments are
completed.
30-30-30
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