For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 1, 2004

Statement on Federal Assistance for California

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding as a result of a levee break on June 3, 2004, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in San Joaquin County on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding resulting from the levee break.

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 William L. Carwile, III 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.

###