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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 12, 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 storms, tornadoes, and flooding on May 5, 1999, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals and local governments in a 17 county area. The counties include Cheatham, Chester, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, McNairy, Perry, Stewart, White, and Williamson.

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 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.

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

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