THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary 
                     (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                  February 13, 1998

              PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER 
                      EXISTS IN STATE OF DELAWARE

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Delaware and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms, high winds, and flooding on January 28 through February 6, 1998.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected local governments in Sussex County.

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

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties and assistance may be added after the assessments are completed.