The President today declared a major disaster exists in the Territory of American Samoa and ordered federal aid to supplement territory and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, and landslides during the period of July 29 to August 3, 2014.

Federal funding is available to territory and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, and landslides.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in the Territory of American Samoa.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Kenneth K. Suiso as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV