ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA headed into Hurricane Wilma better preparedbecause of Katrina and Rita, NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson stated.NCUA put its disaster relief policy into effect following HurricaneWilma, which pummeled southern Florida, Monday, Oct. 24. PresidentGeorge W. Bush declared major disaster areas in Brevard, Broward,Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands,Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Osceola,Palm Beach, Polk, St. Lucie, and Sarasota Counties in Florida andhas ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recoveryefforts. Counties may be added after assessments are completed.This swath also includes Credit Union Times headquarters in WestPalm Beach. By last Wednesday power and phones were back on. ThePresident's action made federal funding available for the affectedareas. When disaster strikes, NCUA will: * Encourage credit unionsto make loans with special terms and reduced documentation toaffected members; * Reschedule routine examinations of affectedcredit unions if necessary; * Guarantee lines of credit for creditunions through the NCUSIF; and * Make loans to meet the liquidityneeds of member credit unions through the Central LiquidityFacility.