For Immediate Release
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
August 1, 2005

Statement on Federal Assistance for Utah

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Utah and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding and landslides on April 28, 2005, through June 29, 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 flooding and landslides in the counties of Beaver, Box Elder, Iron, Kane, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, and Wasatch; and the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

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 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.

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