Puerto Rico; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated September 24, 1998, the President declared a major disaster under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), as follows:

I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, resulting from Hurricane Georges on September 20-22, 1998, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93-288, as amended (``the Stafford Act''). I, therefore, declare that such a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes, such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses. You are authorized to provide Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B) under Public Assistance in the designated areas and any other forms of assistance under the Stafford Act you may deem appropriate. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance or Hazard Mitigation will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs.

The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed six months after the date of this declaration. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the authority vested in the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under Executive Order 12148, I hereby appoint Jose A. Brovo of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared disaster. I do hereby determine the following areas of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to have been affected adversely by this declared major disaster:

All 78 municipios for Individual Assistance and debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B) under the Public Assistance program.

All counties within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

(The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA) are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 83.537, Community Disaster Loans; 83.538, Cora Brown Fund Program; 83.539, Crisis Counseling; 83.540, Disaster Legal Services Program; 83.541, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 83.542, Fire Suppression Assistance; 83.543, Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program; 83.544, Public Assistance Grants; 83.545, Disaster Housing Program; 83.548, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.) James L. Witt, Director. [FR Doc. 98-27538 Filed 10-13-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-02-P