WASHINGTON _ By declaring parts of Central Florida a major disaster area, President Bush opened the door Saturday for residents to receive federal aid – including temporary housing and money for home repair.

The move, which covers Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties, also extends to local officials who can use federal money to help in debris removal, road repair and emergency response.

Short-term help is expected too. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday the agency deployed several tractor-trailers filled with water, meals, generators, meals and plastic tarps.

The shipment of supplies was expected to arrive Saturday, although FEMA officials said the convey was on reserve in case the state requested help. The agency also plans to work with Florida to handle temporary housing.

The fast response to the state’s call for help was the sign of a “new FEMA,” said Director R. David Paulison, formerly chief of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department.

“Waiting for a local community to become overwhelmed before the state steps in and waiting for the state to become overwhelmed before the federal government steps in simply does not work anymore,” he said.

“We’ve got to go in as partners,” Paulison said.

Local lawmakers greeted the federal assistance with enthusiasm, but many were concerned the federal declaration did not cover damage for a similar storm that struck Central Florida on Christmas Day.

Last month, FEMA denied requests for federal aid for hundreds of Volusia County residents whose homes were damaged. The reasoning was that state and local officials could handle the cost.

Gov. Charlie Crist disagreed, and his appeal for federal help Friday included assistance for the previous storm. FEMA didn’t address the request Saturday, although Paulison said he would reconsider it this week.

The answer didn’t sit well with state Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, who doubted Paulison’s claims of a “new” FEMA, noting: “I’m not sure that they have it all together yet.”

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(c) 2007, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).

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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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PHOTOS (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): STORMS

GRAPHICS (from MCT Graphics, 202-383-6064): STORMS

AP-NY-02-03-07 1631EST