THE WHITE HOUSE

                  Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                               June 24, 1996



       PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES MAJOR DISASTER IN OHIO


     President Clinton today declared a major disaster exists in 
the State of Ohio and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and 
local recovery efforts in the area struck by  flooding beginning 
on May 2, 1996.

     The President's action makes Federal funding available to 
affected local governments in a ten county area.  The counties 
include Adams, Belmont, Brown, Gallia, Hamilton, Jefferson, 
Meigs, Paulding, Scioto, and Williams.

     Federal funding is available to eligible local governments 
on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public 
facilities damaged by the flooding.  Federal funding is also 
available on a cost share basis for hazard mitigation measures. 

     The Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing to 
conduct damage surveys in other areas and additional counties may 
be added after the assessments are completed.


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