President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Territory of Samoa

AUSTIN, Texas, March 2 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the territory of American Samoa to supplement territory recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Gita from February 7 to February 12, 2018.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the territory of American Samoa. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is available to the territory and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair and replacement of facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Gita in the territory.

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

Benigno Bern Ruiz has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Ruiz said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering at the Disaster Recovery Center that will open in the coming days. Territorial authorities are planning an orderly process to assist all survivors and will provide details through community and media channels.