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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release February 9, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

President Declares Major Disaster in Oregon

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by high winds, severe storms and flooding on January 26, 1996, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the following areas: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wasco, and Yamhill Counties and the Warm Springs Reservation.

Assistance can include disaster housing, grants, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding will be made available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the high winds, severe storms and flooding. Federal funding will also be made available on a cost share basis for hazard mitigation measures. Specific county designations will be made as damage assessments are completed.

Direct Federal assistance may be provided for the first 72 hours at 100 percent Federal funding in the State of Oregon, if warranted.

James L. Witt, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), named Richard A. Buck of FEMA's regional office in Bothell, Washington to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The Agency said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be added after the assessments are completed.

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