THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                     (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                      April 9, 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 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding on April 3-7, 1999.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to eligible local governments in Bossier Parish on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

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 Robert E. Hendrix of FEMA's regional office in Denton, Texas to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The Agency said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional parishes may be added after the assessments are completed.

An actuality from President Clinton is available on The White House Actuality Line at 202-456-5671.

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