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FEMA to begin assessment of flood damage today Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008 Arkansas News Bureau NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Federal Emergency Management Agency officials will begin assessing flood damage in northern and western Arkansas today where waters are receding, while areas down river are still inaccessible, state Department of Emergency Management Director David Maxwell said Monday. The department briefed U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., on Monday about the flood damages, which Maxwell said will surpass an original estimate of $2 million. The early estimate "was extremely low to start with," he said. Nine FEMA crews and officials from ADEM are set to investigate damage today, an early step in the process of dispensing federal aid. Lincoln urged Arkansans to be patient while the federal government goes through the process of making disaster declarations. "The reaction to the tornados (last month) was extremely prompt because it could be," Lincoln said. "Obviously with water and flooding its very different. We still have places where the water has not crested." Lincoln praised Gov. Mike Beebe for quickly responding to the disaster. Beebe has declared 35 counties disaster areas after heavy rains and flooding that began March 18 caused damages. |
