President Orders Disaster Aid for Oklahoma Ice Storm Victims
Release Date: January 5, 2001
Release Number: 1355-01
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Washington, DC -- Federal disaster aid was made available today for Oklahoma families and businesses victimized by the Christmas ice storm under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Clinton, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA Director James Lee Witt said the President took the action this afternoon following a review of the agency's analysis of the state's request for additional federal aid submitted earlier today. Federal emergency funds were authorized by the President last week to supplement immediate state and local response efforts to the storm that began December 25.
Immediately after the declaration, Witt designated the following 39 counties eligible for federal funding to help meet the recovery needs of stricken residents and business owners: Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Cotton, Creek, Garvin, Grady, Haskell, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Latimer, LeFlore, Lincoln, Love, Marshall, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington.
The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs and other serious disaster--related expenses. Low--interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Additionally, Witt said federal funds previously authorized last week to pay 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency services will continue to be available for the state and affected local governments in the designated counties under the declaration. He indicated that more counties and additional forms of assistance for state and local government agencies may be designated later based on the results of ongoing damage assessments.
C. Michael Butler, federal coordinating officer for Oklahoma relief operations, said residents and business owners who sustained storm losses in the designated counties can begin the disaster application process on Saturday, January 6, 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.
Last Modified: Monday, 20-Oct-2003 13:49:50