THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                        (Aboard Air Force One)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                        May 6, 1999

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

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Texas and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes on May 4, 1999.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals and local governments in Bowie County.

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 counties and assistance may be added after the assessments are completed.

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