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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 20, 1999

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

     The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State

of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Irene beginning on October 14, 1999, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in an 18 county area. The counties include Brevard, Broward, Collier, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, St. Lucie, Seminole, and Volusia.

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 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 areas may be added after the assessments are completed.

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