Statement by the Press Secretary

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Missouri and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding
beginning on March 17, 2008, and continuing.

Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local
governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a
cost-sharing basis in the counties of Audrain, Barry, Barton, Boone,
Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar,
Christian, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas,
Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Iron,
Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Madison, Maries,
McDonald, Miller, Mississippi, Montgomery, Moniteau, Morgan, New
Madrid, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike,
Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois,
St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Shannon, Scott, Stoddard, Stone, Taney,
Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, and Wright and the
Independent City of St. Louis for emergency protective measures,
limited to direct Federal assistance.

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

FEMA said that damage surveys have been scheduled and more
counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after
the assessments are completed.

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

White House Press Office
1-202-456-2580

Copyright Business Wire 2008