WILDER SEEKING AID TO MITIGATE STORM DAMAGE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 18, 1993                   TAG: 9303180209
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
WILDER SEEKING AID TO MITIGATE STORM DAMAGE
Gov. Douglas Wilder asked President Clinton on Wednesday to declare Virginia a disaster area in the wake of last weekend's blizzard that paralyzed much of the state and left at least 12 people dead.
In a letter to the president, Wilder asked Clinton for public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Wilder said his Friday declaration of a state of emergency - the day before the brunt of the storm struck Virginia - enabled the Virginia National Guard to deploy to critical areas and aided in a quick response to the storm.
But, he said, "I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments."
Wilder asked for federal funds to augment more than $400,000 that he said the state and local governments would end up spending. He also said he may have to request additional help because of potential flooding in Southwest Virginia and damages to public and private buildings that may exceed preliminary estimates.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB