Release Number: HQ-10-222FactSheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's major disaster declaration issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Assistance for the Territorial and Local Governments Can Include as Required:

-Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas

WHEREAS, Title 23, Section 1005(a), Virgin Islands Code, vests in the Governor the responsibility for meeting the dangers to the Territory and people presented by emergencies or major disasters; and

WHEREAS, on October 5, 2010, the National Hurricane Center issued a flash flood watch and small craft advisory warning for the United States Virgin Islands based on the course of a tropical

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Reimbursement of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit

SAN JUAN, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Hurricane Omar weakened in the Atlantic on Thursday after threading its way through the small islands of the northeastern Caribbean as a powerful storm that caused far less damage than its punch had threatened.

The 15th tropical cyclone of a busy Atlantic hurricane season sank boats in harbors and knocked down trees and utility poles on Caribbean islands, according to reports from officials and residents throughout the vulnerable area.

It posed no threat to the United States

FEMA Director James Lee Witt said President Clinton authorized the assistance under a major disaster declaration issued for the territory this afternoon following a review of damage assessment data submitted by the agency. The declaration covers damage to private and public property from Lenny, which began buffeting the territory with