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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release November 19, 1996
             PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A STATE OF EMERGENCY 
                             IN RHODE ISLAND

President Clinton today declared an emergency exists in the State of Rhode Island and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a water main break on November 18, 1996.

The President's action authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all emergency efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide for and/or restore water service, under emergency assistance as authorized under subsection 502(a). This assistance will be provided to Kent and Providence Counties.

FEMA is continuing to conduct damage surveys, and additional counties may be added after the assessments are completed.

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