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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 24, 1998

             PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES MAJOR DISASTER EXISTS
                          IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

     The President today declared a major disaster exists in the U.S.

Virgin Islands and ordered Federal aid to supplement territory and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Georges on September 19-22, 1998.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected local governments in St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas and Water Island.

Federal funding is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by Hurricane Georges. 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 assistance may be added after the assessments are completed.

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