For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 15, 2005

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 severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mud and debris flows on February 16-23, 2005.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mud and debris flows in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and Ventura Counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties.

Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named David Fukutomi 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.