For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 15, 2006

Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for New York

The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of New York and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by a lake effect snowstorm on October 12, 2006, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Erie, Genesee, Orleans, and Niagara.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Debris removal and emergency protective measures will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

R. David Paulison, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Marianne C. Jackson as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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

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