P.M. BRIEFING : Federal Aid for Rio Grande Valley
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WASHINGTON — President Bush declared the Rio Grande Valley of Texas a disaster area today, ordering federal aid to help farmers recover from a severe winter freeze that struck just before Christmas.
Officials estimate the freeze caused about $385 million in damage to crops, agricultural businesses and lost wages. About 70% of the citrus crop remaining at the time was destroyed.
Rio Grande Valley farmers were beginning to recover from the devastating 1983 freeze that destroyed 50,000 acres of citrus, and farmers say this winter’s freeze was worse.
The federal aid will cover unemployment compensation for lost jobs directly related to the freeze, which struck Dec. 21 in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties.
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