Posted on 08/13/2004 7:38:10 PM PDT by gilliam
Statement by the Press Secretary
August 13, 2004
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas struck by Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley beginning on August 11, 2004, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Charlotte, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments in the State of Florida on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures at 75 percent Federal funding.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Michael E. Bolch 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 completed.
The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362), 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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What's the aftermath like? Florida FReepers?
Bush did nothing against global warming so this would happen right before the election, so he'd look good for helping Floridians out. It's 2000 all over again.
(You don't think someone will write that SERIOUSLY on DU????)
Mobile home parks destroyed. Citrus groves too. I heard that one evac center had it's roof torn off. Polk County was hit hard. One of my friend called me...he has a 40 foot pine tree on his back patio, and 100 year old oaks down in his yard.
Well, we in Arizona are waiting for California to slide into the ocean so we can develop our beach front property along side the Colorado River :)
Power is out in the central portion of the state.
Our prayers are with you all.
My area just east of Tampa is wet with some scatterd vegitation. We dodged a major bullet. Punta Gorda got pounded as did Polk County. It's hard to asses the damage in the dark. We'll know more tomorrow. Last I heard, Kissimee took a big hit and the Orlando area was losing power in spots.
It's hard as hell to get homeowner's insurence here. You can take your...Yawnnnnnn... and shove it.
ping
Y'all be heads above water now. We're with you.
And you can suck off the taxpayers teat all you want, but at least recognize what you're doing.
Time to pay off the crybabies in florida ---- AGAIN and again and again and again and again
As long as someone else pays for their stupidity and ignorance by living in the middle of hurrican alley, the rest of the country will pay billions and billions more in wasted taxes helping them rebuild in the same spot that will be destroyed again!
People need help here. This isn't midnight basket ball. We've paid our taxes, too. If you don't want to help, fine we don't need your self righteous, left coast, money. Keep it. Next time there's an earthquake maybe it will swallow your sorry ass.
Well...I have to agree with you. This state does not need any funds from the FEDs. My company (a major utility) is totally prepared for this. We have work crews and contractors coming from all over the state and from other states to assist. We have our own emergency procedures to get the power back on and vegetation cleared. We even have contingencies to provide food and water for all of our workers. Many Floridians are prepared. The only whining that will be done will be by 'RATS I assure you. I'm off to bed. It's been a long day. We dodged a bullet in Tampa.
There will be no sucking of government teats from this Patriot friend. I was ready from the time I moved here from Texas to this swamp. I was locked and loaded and ready to provide for my family of 5 for at least two weeks if need be.
I don't know anyone that wasn't ready for this storm.
The President has a huge advantage over Kerry. He'll make sure Florida gets LOTS of federal aid fast and he'll tour affected areas. That should help him in November. In politics, perception is everything.
Tell THAT to voters in the critically important Panhandle. Votes are everything and in a disaster, the American people expect their government aid those afflicted.
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