Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Disaster Assistance for Pennsylvania

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and mudslides beginning on June 23, 2006, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organization on a cost-sharing basis in the counties of Bradford, Bucks, Columbia, Luzerne, Northampton, Northumberland, Susquehanna, and Wyoming for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance.

For a period of up to 72 hours, Federal funding is available at 100 percent of the total eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

R. David Paulison, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Tom Davies 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 more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed in the affected areas.

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