For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 12, 2003

Statement by the Press Secretary

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Hampshire and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding on July 21, 2003, through August 18, 2003.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in the counties of Cheshire and Sullivan.

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 James N. Russo 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.