For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 24, 2003

Statement on Federal Assistance for West Virginia
Statement by the Press Secretary

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Isabel on September 18, 2003, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments in Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, Randolph, and Tucker Counties on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding.

Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Carlos Mitchell as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The Agency said that damage surveys are continuing, and additional areas and forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are completed.

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