Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will receive $5,404,219 in special HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants to help rebuild from devastation caused by Hurricane Hortense. President Clinton made areas affected by the disaster eligible for relief funds on September 11, 1996.

Although Hortense's high winds caused damage to areas directly in its path, the slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused the greatest damage for cities such as Bayamon. Destruction of infrastructure was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer, and electrical systems suffered heavy damage.

Much of the supplemental disaster assistance for Bayamon will go for flood mitigation measures. These measures include the acquisition and relocation of housing and businesses in flood prone areas that were affected by Hortense. These expenditures will help assure that future flood impacts are less severe.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm. .

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

For additional information, contact: Honorable Mayor Ramon Luis Rivera, Telephone: _________, or HUD's Office of Public Affairs at 202/708-0685.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

Although Hortense's high winds caused damage to areas directly in its path, the slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused the greatest damage for cities such as Caguas. Destruction of infrastructure was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer, and electrical systems suffered heavy damage.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

Although Hortense's high winds caused damage to areas directly in its path, the slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused the greatest damage for cities such as Cayey. Destruction of infrastructure was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer, and electrical systems suffered heavy damage.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm. Much of the supplemental disaster assistance for Bayamon will go for flood mitigation measures. These measures include the acquisition and relocation of housing in flood prone areas that were affected by Hortense. These expenditures will help assure that future flood impacts are less severe.

The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

Although Hortense's high winds caused damage to areas directly in its path, the slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused the greatest damage for cities such as Humacao. Destruction of infrastructure was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer, and electrical systems suffered heavy damage.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

For additional information, contact: Honorable Mayor Julio Cesar Lopez-Gerena, Telephone: _________, or HUD's Office of Public Affairs at 202/708-0685.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

Hortense's winds in excess of 80 mph did significant damage to cities such as Ponce that were directly in its path. The slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused even greater damage. High winds did significant damage because of downed trees. Power outages were worst in areas such as Ponce, but affected 90 percent of the island. Destruction of infrastructure in Ponce was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer suffered heavy damage.

Much of the supplemental disaster assistance for Ponce will go for flood mitigation measures. These measures include the acquisition and relocation of housing and businesses in flood prone areas that were affected by Hortense. These expenditures will help assure that future flood impacts are less severe.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

Although Hortense's high winds caused damage to areas directly in its path, the slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused the greatest damage for cities such as San Juan. Destruction of infrastructure was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer, and electrical systems suffered heavy damage.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

For additional information, contact: Honorable Mayor Sila Maria Calderon, Telephone: _________, or HUD's Office of Public Affairs at 202/708-0685.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

Although Hortense's high winds caused damage to areas directly in its path, the slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused the greatest damage for cities such as Toa Alta. Destruction of infrastructure was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer, and electrical systems suffered heavy damage.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

For additional information, contact: Honorable Mayor Angel Rodriguez Cabrera, Telephone: _________, or HUD's Office of Public Affairs at 202/708-0685.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

Hortense's winds in excess of 80 mph did significant damage to cities such as Toa Baja that were directly in its path. The slow movement of the storm over the island caused heavy rains amounting to 23 inches in some areas and produced flooding and mudslides that caused even greater damage. High winds did significant damage because of downed trees. Power outages were worst in areas such as Toa Baja, but affected 90 percent of the island. Destruction of infrastructure in Toa Baja was widespread. Systems such as water and sewer suffered heavy damage.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed because of the storm.

Much of the supplemental disaster assistance for Toa Baja will go for flood mitigation measures. These measures include the acquisition and relocation of housing and businesses in flood prone areas that were affected by Hortense. These expenditures will help assure that future flood impacts are less severe.

The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

For additional information, contact the office of Mayor Victor M. Soto Santiago, telephone: _______________or HUD's Office of Public Affairs at 202/708-0685.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program

The following municipios were impacted by the disaster: Aguas Buenos, Aibonito, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Bayamon, Caguas, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Cidra, Comerio, Corozal, Dorado, Guayama, Guayanabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Humacoa, Juncos, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Maunabo, Morovis, Naguabo, Patillas, Ponce, Rio Grande, Salinas, San Juan, San Lorenzo, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Yabucoa.

The center of Hurricane Hortense, with winds clocked at 80 mph, passed over the southeastern corner of the island of Puerto Rico. Although wind damage in these areas was less dramatic than with other Hurricanes such as Hugo, the slow progress of the hurricane over the island resulted in extremely heavy rains that and severe flooding that were experienced over the entire eastern portion of the island. An estimated 20 persons were killed by mudslides and flooding associated with the storm. A total of 23 inches of rain was reported in some communities in the east central portions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Twenty six island towns in the direct path of the storm across the island's southwest corner, as well as towns in the eastern interior struck by flooding and mudslides, were declared disaster areas. Approximately 90 percent of the island's residents were without power as a result of the Hurricane.

Total Estimated loss was put at $300 million shortly after the hurricane. Over 150,000 persons applied to FEMA for disaster assistance due to storm damage.

HUD Disaster Recovery Program grants are designed to supplement grants provided by FEMA and other agencies. The HUD grant awarded today will help speed recovery efforts and restore important services and infrastructure in areas where services are still curtailed as a result of the storm.

Program Provides Communities with Flexible Funds for
Long-Term Recovery Efforts

• The program gives communities greater flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.
• It allows communities to use disaster funds for new types of programs, such as building new replacement housing.
• Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities;
• Also, homeownership assistance, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsides; and code enforcement;
• And to help keep local economies strong, assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

For additional information, contact the Office of Governor Pedro Rosello, or HUD's Office of Public Affairs at 202/708-0685.