Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Assistance in Arkansas

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, tornadoes, and flooding on May 2, 2003, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in the counties of Chicot, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Cross, Independence, Jackson, Madison, Newton, Perry, Poinsett, St. Francis, Van Buren, White, and Woodruff.

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

Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Sandra Coachman 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 more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are completed.

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