WASHINGTON, June 20, 2004 – LAWFUEL – The following is a statement issued
yesterday, June 19, by the Press Secretary:
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of
Wisconsin and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on May 19,
2004, and continuing.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha,
Ozaukee, and Winnebago.
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 to State and eligible local governments
and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for the
repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding
in the counties of Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green
Lake, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Vernon, and Winnebago.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D.
Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of
Homeland Security, named Ron Sherman as the Federal Coordinating Officer for
Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
The Agency said 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.
