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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 7, 1997

PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES MAJOR DISASTER IN MINNESOTA

President Clinton today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Minnesota and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe ice storms on November 14-30, 1996.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to local governments in a twelve- county area. The counties include Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock, Waseca, and Yellow Medicine.

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 is also available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe ice storms. Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard mitigation measures.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing to conduct damage surveys, and additional counties may be added after the assessments are completed.

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