County told by MEMA to prove need for federal flood aid|[05/23/08]

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 23, 2008

Warren and three other counties included in a federal flood disaster declaration must show a need for at least $3.6 million to receive any payments, state emergency officials have told county officials.

Eligible items include overtime pay for road crews removing debris, search and rescue and several additional emergency protective measures.

Permanent work would be to repair roads, streets, bridges and other public property.

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Warren, Washington, Bolivar and Wilkinson counties received presidential declarations for both individual and local government assistance.

The two programs operate separately and the state set the minimum qualifying amount, which should be met without much difficulty.

Locally, repairing LeTourneau Road to pre-flood condition or better easily will be the most costly project. A temporary fix to the eastbound lane cost the county $216,713.35. Raising and resurfacing Related stories:All money, little help from FEMA, Leyens saysit is likely to exceed $1 million. The access road is vital to riverside industries and planners of one of three natural gas pipelines in Warren County.

Spring flooding from the Mississippi was the worst since 1973.