For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 7, 2001

President Orders Federal Disaster Aid for Mississippi
Statement by the Press Secretary

December  7, 2001

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The  President  today  declared  a  major  disaster  exists in the State of Mississippi  and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts  in  the  area  struck  by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding on November 24, 2001, and continuing.

The   President's  action  makes  Federal  funding  available  to  affected individuals  in  a  10-county  area.  The counties include Bolivar, DeSoto, Hinds, Humphreys, Madison, Panola, Quitman, Sunflower, Tate and Washington.

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.

Federal  funding  is  also  available  on  a  cost  share  basis for hazard mitigation measures.

Joe  M.  Allbaugh,  Director  of  the  Federal  Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),  named  Gracia  Szczech  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  1-800-621-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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