The President today declared a major disaster exists in the Territory of American Samoa and ordered Federal aid to supplement Territory and local recovery efforts in the area struck by high winds, high surf and heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Heta on January 2-6, 2004.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to the Territory of American Samoa and the Island of Tutuila on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under Public Assistance, at 75 percent Federal funding.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. Costello 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 additional designations and forms of assistance may be made after the assessments are completed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
George W. Bush, Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Assistance for American Samoa Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/281637