Presidential Disaster Declaration for Denton County

Damage resulting from severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that took place on June 16-18, 2007

in Denton County along with 6 other counties (Bosque, Cooke, Coryell, Grayson, lampasas, and Tarrant counties) is, according to George W. Bush, of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U. S. C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act).

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of june 16-18, 2007.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state of Texas by President Bush. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Cooke, Coryell, Denton, Grayson, Lampasas and Tarrant counties.

The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious desaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

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

Paulison named Kenneth Clark as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Clark said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are complete.

Reisdents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance starting June 20, 2007 by registring online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speeck im[aired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday thry Sunday.

FEMA coordinates the Federal Government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts o terror.