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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 18, 1994

PRESIDENT SENDS SENIOR OFFICIALS TO FLOOD RAVAGED TEXAS

Moving quickly to survey the damage in Texas following Hurricane Rosa, President Clinton today directed Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, Small Business Administrator Phil Lader and top officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to travel to Texas and report back to him on the situation there.

Accompanying Secretary Pena and Administrator Lader will be FEMA Deputy Director Harvey Ryland, FEMA Associate Director of Response and Recovery Richard Krimm, and Federal Highway Administrator Rodney Slater. The majority of the delegation left today and Secretary Pena will travel to the region Thursday.

"My thoughts are with the people of Texas during this crisis," the President said. "With the help of our team down in Texas, I will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Over the past 24 hours severe floods and flash floods in twenty-six counties in the northeastern and southeastern portion of the State of Texas have become increasingly serious. More than 10,000 people have been evacuated statewide and there have been seven reported deaths. Rain is expected to continue through tomorrow.

The White House and Federal Emergency Management Agency remain in close contact with the Texas Governor's office. Governor Richards today requested a major disaster declaration from the President and that request is now under review.

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