THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

           PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER EXISTS
                    IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

     The President today declared a major disaster exists in the

Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Floyd beginning on September 13, 1999, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals and local governments in the City of Franklin, City of Hampton, City of Portsmouth, City of Newport News, City of Norfolk, City of Virginia Beach, and the counties of James City, Isle of Wight, and Southampton.

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 Hurricane Floyd. 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 J. Gunter of FEMA's regional office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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

The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by calling 1-800-462-9029, or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.

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