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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release February 28, 2000

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

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm on January 25-30, 2000.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to local governments in 103 Commonwealth areas. The areas include the City of Alexandria, City of Colonial Heights, City of Emporia, City of Fairfax, City of Franklin, City of Fredericksburg, City of Hopewell, City of Petersburg, City of Richmond, City of Suffolk, City of Williamsburg, and the counties of Accomack, Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Highland, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Montgomery, Nelson, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Surry, Sussex, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, Wythe, and York.

Federal funding is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement of utilities damaged by the severe winter storm. 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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