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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 6, 1998

                          PRESIDENT CLINTON 
                DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER IN FLORIDA

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on December 25, 1997, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in a four-county area. The counties include Hernando, Hillsborough, Osceola, and Polk.

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 on a cost share basis for hazard mitigation measures.

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

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