President Declares Major Disaster for Iowa
Eleven Counties Designated for Aid to Local Governments
WASHINGTON -- Eleven Iowa counties were designated for federal aid today
by the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) immediately
after President Clinton declared the state a major disaster area because
of the effects of an early winter storm last October 26-28.
FEMA Director James Lee Witt said the President's action makes federal
funds available to the state and affected local governments to pay 75 percent
of the approved cost for debris removal, emergency services related to
the disaster, and restoring essential public facilities damaged by the
storm. The declaration also provides funding to the state on a cost-shared
basis for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.
The 11 counties designated eligible for the aid include Clarke, Iowa,
Jasper, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Union and
Warren. Witt indicated that additional counties may be designated for
assistance later if requested by the state and warranted by the results
of further damage assessments.
Warren Pugh, Jr., of FEMA's regional office in Kansas City, Mo., was
named by Witt to coordinate the federal relief effort. Pugh said that procedures
for requesting assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings
at locations to be announced shortly in the affected areas.
Updated: November 20, 1997
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