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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 16, 1998

                          PRESIDENT CLINTON 
             DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER EXISTS IN NEW YORK

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New York and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe thunderstorms and tornadoes on May 31, 1998.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected local governments in a four county area. The counties include Chenango, Otsego, Rensselaer, and Saratoga.

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

James L. Witt, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), named Marianne Jackson of FEMA's regional office in New York to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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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