President Trump Approves Puerto Rico Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The White House issued the following news release on Sept. 9:

Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and ordered Federal assistance to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Isaias from July 29 to July 31, 2020.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the municipalities of Aguada, Hormigueros, Mayaguez, and Rincon.

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 also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire Commonwealth.

Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Alexis Amparo as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated municipalities can begin applying for assistance by registering online athttp://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.