Statement by White House Press Secretary

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The President today declared
a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal aid to
supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe
storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on December 1, 2007, and
continuing.
Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and
certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in the
counties of Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Tillamook, and Yamhill for debris
removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal
assistance, under the Public Assistance program.
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 Glen R. Sachtleben as the
Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected
area.
FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more
counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the
assessments are fully completed.
SOURCE White House Press Office

FEMA, +1-202-646-4600; or White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580