Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Aid to Arkansas Flood Victims

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
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, flooding, and
tornadoes beginning on May 2, 2008, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Benton, Cleburne, Conway, Crittenden,
Grant, Lonoke, Mississippi, Pulaski, Saline, and Van Buren.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home
repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other
programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the
effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also 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, and tornadoes in
the counties of Cleburne, Conway, Crittenden, Grant, Lonoke, and Van
Buren.

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

R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Kenneth M. Riley
as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in
the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if
requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage
assessments.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses
in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow
by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling
1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and
speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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

White House Press Office
1-202-456-2580

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