President George Bush signed $1.1 billion in Hurricane Hugo disaster aid into law Friday morning aboard Air Force One, then landed in Charleston to see what the storm had done.
The money is part of H.J. Res. 407, a stopgap spending bill that also keeps the federal government running through Oct. 25. Bush spoke at the signing at 6:40 a.m. during the flight, according to the official record of his remarks. The aid goes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for relief in Charleston and other parts of South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In a written statement, Bush said the funds, along with state, local, private and charitable help, would let Hugo’s victims rebuild “their homes, communities, businesses, and lives.”
Hugo struck Charleston as a Category 4 hurricane late on Sept. 21, United Press International reported. Bush declared South Carolina a major disaster area on Sept. 22, according to FEMA.
That same day, Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. declared a state of emergency in Charleston and closed city streets to the public from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. His order cited “a vast destruction or damaging of buildings, both residential and commercial,” disrupted utility service and streets made impassable by debris.
Bush flew down with Sen. Strom Thurmond and four South Carolina congressmen: Reps. Arthur Ravenel Jr., Floyd Spence, John Spratt and Robin Tallon. He toured the city and outlying rural areas, thanked Gov. Carroll Campbell for his cooperation and said weather had cut the tour short.
Speaking at a disaster relief site, he acknowledged complaints about the federal response.
“But to the critics I simply say, I understand. We are trying very hard,” Bush said.
He said residents had told him they would recover. “But you couldn’t help be impressed to hear the people saying look, we’re going to bounce back,” he said.
Bush returned to Washington after his remarks.
