For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 26, 2002

Statement by the Press Secretary

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on April 27, 2002, through May 30, 2002.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Fairbanks North Star Borough; McGrath and Lime Villages in the Iditarod Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA); Aniak, Crooked Creek, Red Devil and Sleetmute Villages in the Kuspuk REAA; Kwethluk Village in the Lower Kuskokwim REAA; and Ekwok and New Stuyahok Villages in the Southwest Region REAA.

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 also is available to eligible local governments in the Matunuska-Susitna Borough on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the flooding. 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 William Lokey 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 jurisdictions may be designated after the assessments are completed.

The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated jurisdictions 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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