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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 24, 2002

President Orders Federal Aid for Arkansas
Statement by the Press Secretary

January  24, 2002

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The  President  today  declared  a  major  disaster  exists in the State of Arkansas  and  ordered  Federal  aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts  in  the  area  struck  by  severe storms and flooding beginning on December 15, 2001, and continuing.

The  President's  action  makes Federal funding available to affected local governments  in  a  16  county  area.  The  counties  include Ashley, Clay, Cleburne,  Columbia,  Crittenden, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Little River, Logan, Monroe, Poinsett, Prairie, Scott, Stone, and Woodruff.

Federal   funding   is   available  to  eligible  local  governments  on  a cost-sharing  basis  for  the  repair  or  replacement of public facilities damaged  by  the  severe  storms  and  flooding.   Federal  funding is also available on a cost share basis for hazard mitigation measures.

Joe  M.  Allbaugh,  Director  of  the  Federal  Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),  named  Joe  Bray  as  the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The  Agency  said  that  damage  surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional  assistance  and counties may be added after the assessments are completed.

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

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