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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 21, 1999

               PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER 
                    EXISTS IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe ice storm on December 22-28, 1998.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected local governments in an 18 parish area. The parishes include Bienville, Catahoula, Claiborne, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Union, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn.

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 ice storm. 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 parishes may be added after the assessments are completed.

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