

			    THE WHITE HOUSE

		     Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                     April 14, 1994


	   PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES A MAJOR DISASTER IN 
			     TENNESSEE


     The President today declared a major disaster in the state of
Tennessee and ordered federal funds to supplement state and local
recovery efforts in areas struck by rainfall and flash flooding on
March 25 through April 3, 1994

     The President's action makes federal funding available to
individuals and families in five counties:  Blount, Hamilton, Polk,
Sevier and Unicoi.

     Assistance can include disaster housing, grants, low-cost
loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to
help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of
the disaster.

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

     Also today, FEMA Director James Lee Witt named Melvin J.
Schneider of FEMA's regional office in Atlanta, Georgia to
coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

     Residents and business owners who sustained losses in
designated counties can begin applying for assistance immediately
by calling 1-800-462-9029, or 1- 800-462-7585 (TDD) for the hearing
and speech impaired.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate
from 8 AM to 6 PM (CST) seven days a week until further notice.

			     -30-30-30-


