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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 12, 2001

PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER EXISTS IN LOUISIANA

President Clinton today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter ice storm beginning on December 11, 2000, and continuing through January 3, 2001.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected local governments in a six parish area. The parishes include Bienville, Caddo, Claiborne, Lincoln, Union, and Webster.

Federal funding is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe ice storm. 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 Carlos N. Mitchell as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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

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