Statement by the Press Secretary: FEMA Aid to West Virginia

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of West Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes,
flooding, mudslides, and landslides during the period of June 3-7,
2008.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison,
Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Taylor, and Tyler.

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, tornadoes, flooding,
mudslides, and landslides in the counties of Barbour, Clay, Doddridge,
Gilmer, Harrison, Marion, and Taylor.

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 Ed Smith 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)

FEMA, 202-646-4600
or
White House Press Office, 202-456-2580

Copyright Business Wire 2008