Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Disaster Assistance for Indiana

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Indiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on June 6, 2008, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in the counties of Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clay, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Greene, Henry, Jackson, Jennings, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Morgan, Monroe, Ohio, Owen, Ripley, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Union, Vermillion, Vigo, and Wayne for emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance.

R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael H. Smith as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said that damage surveys have been scheduled and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are completed.

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