The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Maine and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and flooding during the period December 11-29, 2008.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible¹ local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement² of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and flooding in the counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York.

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

R. David Paulison, Administrator³, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named James N. Russo as the Federal Coordinating⁴ Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected⁵ area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments⁶.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.