View Header

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release January 15, 1999
                        PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES 
            A MAJOR DISASTER EXISTS IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms, ice, and freezing rain on December 23-29, 1998.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected local governments in 33 counties. The counties include Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Campbell, Cannon, Claiborne, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Loudon, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Moore, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, and White.

Federal funding is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe winter storms, ice, and freezing rain. 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.

30-30-30