Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Assistance for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides on October 9-15, 2005.

Federal funding is available to Commonwealth 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, flooding, landslides, and mudslides in the municipalities of Aibonito, Juana D az, Lares, Maricao, Pe uelas, Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, Utuado, Villalba, Yabucoa and Yauco.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures island wide for the principal island of Puerto Rico within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

R. David Paulison, Acting Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Justo Hernandez as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The Agency said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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