Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Assistance for Alaska

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm, tidal surges, and flooding on October 18-20, 2004.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm, tidal surges, and flooding in the Bering Strait Regional Education Area and the Northwest Arctic Borough.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard mitigation measures in the Bering Strait Regional Education Area, the Northwest Arctic Borough, and the City of Mekoryuk.

Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named William Lokey as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The Agency said that more areas and additional forms of assistance may be designated later if warranted by further damage assessments.

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