[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16076-16077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7986]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[FEMA-1455-DR]


West Virginia; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response, Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major 
disaster for the State of West Virginia (FEMA-1455-DR), dated March 14, 
2003, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 14, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Magda Ruiz, Recovery Division, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-2705.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter 
dated March 14, 2003, the President declared a major disaster under the 
authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act), as follows:

    I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the State 
of West Virginia resulting from a severe winter storm, record/near 
record snow, heavy rains, flooding, and landslides on February 16, 
2003, and continuing, is 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). I, therefore, declare that such a major disaster 
exists in the State of West Virginia.
    In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby 
authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes, such 
amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and 
administrative expenses.
    You are authorized to provide Individual Assistance in the 
designated areas, all categories of Public Assistance in the 
designated areas, emergency assistance (emergency protective 
measures, Category B under the Public Assistance program) for a 
period of 48 hours in the designated areas, and Hazard Mitigation 
throughout the State. Consistent with the requirement that Federal 
assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the 
Stafford Act for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and the Other 
Needs Assistance under section 408 of the Stafford Act will be 
limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs.
    Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration 
to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act.

    The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 
310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public 
Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed 
six months after the date of this declaration.
    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice 
that pursuant to the authority vested in the Acting Under Secretary for 
Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, 
under Executive Order 12148, as amended by Executive Order 13286, Louis 
Botta of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is appointed to act as 
the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared disaster.
    I do hereby determine the following areas of the State of West 
Virginia to have been affected adversely by this declared major 
disaster:

    Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mingo, Roane, and Wayne 
Counties for Individual Assistance.

[[Page 16077]]

    Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Jackson, 
Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, 
Nicholas, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wirt, and 
Wyoming Counties for Public Assistance.
    Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, 
Pocahontas, and Preston Counties for emergency protective measures 
(Category B) under the Public Assistance program for a period of 48 
hours.
    Cabell, Kanawah, Lincoln, Mingo, and Wayne Counties are eligible 
to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.


(The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA) 
are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 83.537, Community 
Disaster Loans; 83.538, Cora Brown Fund Program; 83.539, Crisis 
Counseling; 83.540, Disaster Legal Services Program; 83.541, 
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 83.556, Fire Management 
Assistance; 83,558, Individual and Household Housing; 83.559, 
Individual and Household Disaster Housing Operations; 83.560 
Individual and Household Program--Other Needs, 83.544, Public 
Assistance Grants; 83.548, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.)
Michael D. Brown,
Acting Under Secretary, Emergency Preparedness and Response.
[FR Doc. 03-7986 Filed 4-01-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-02-M