Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Disaster Assistance for Maine

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Maine and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and inland and coastal flooding beginning on April 15, 2007, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State 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 and inland and coastal flooding in the counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, and York.

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 Albert L. Lewis 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 completed.

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