For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 22, 2001
Statement by the Press Secretary
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 Storm Allison on June 15-17, 2001.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.
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.
Joe M. Allbaugh, Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), named Mr. Peter Martinasco 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.
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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