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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release July 11, 1996

PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES MAJOR DISASTER IN VIRGIN ISLANDS

President Clinton today declared a major disaster exists in the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands and ordered Federal aid to supplement Territory and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Bertha on July 8 and 9, 1996.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals and local governments in St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas.

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 also is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for reimbursement of the costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures under the Public Assistance program. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures.

Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing to conduct damage surveys throughout the Territory.

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