LAKE COUNTY -- The Lake County Board of Commissioners and the Lake County Emergency Management Agency has been notified by the Ohio EMA that President Bush has declared Lake County a "Disaster Area."

The Individual Assistance Program addresses uninsured losses caused by the disaster.

Damage categories include the following: damage to homes (both owner-occupied and renters), personal property (basic appliances, essential clothing and furniture), medical, dental, funeral and transportation.

Disaster victims can register for assistance by calling the toll-free FEMA teleregistration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

You can also go on-line to the FEMA website at www.fema.gov.

When applying for Individual Assistance with FEMA residents must use the assigned disaster declaration number of 1656.

Lake County Emergency Management Director, Larry Greene, said "Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC's) will be put in place and become operational by this weekend to provide direct customer service for those residents that wish to apply for assistance in person."

The exact location of the DRC's is still being worked out, but will likely be located in communities hardest hit by the July 28th flood.

Further information will be forthcoming within the next few days regarding the exact locations and hours of operation for the DRC's.