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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 23, 1999

               PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER 
                         IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and high winds on January 21, 1999, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals and local governments in a five county area. The counties include Independence, Pulaski, St. Francis, Saline, and White.

Assistance can include disaster housing, grants, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures. 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 and counties may be added after the assessments are completed.

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