For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 15, 2007

Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for Oklahoma

On January 14, 2007, The President declared an emergency exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms and flooding beginning on January 12, 2007, 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 lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all 77 counties in the State of Oklahoma.

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

R. David Paulison, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Kenneth Clark 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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