Bush grants federal assistance to county
Warren County, along with 31 surrounding counties, has been granted federal assistance to help offset damage costs for a pair of floods this year which left about a quarter-million dollars in damage to county roads.
The declaration issued by President Bush last week declared the region eligible for limited federal assistance. Along with Warren, the adjoining counties of DeKalb, Van Buren and Cannon were also on the list, which indicates a combined $12 million in damage was suffered.
The two floods occurred in January and March. The downpours did major damage to area roads, sweeping away pavement, washing away gravel and scouring bridge foundations.
According to Warren County Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Myers, the federal assistance approved for the region will be limited to government and public-owned facilities, such as roads. Private homeowners have not yet been approved for federal assistance. A few homes suffered damage.
Levie Glenn of the Warren County Highway Department says any funds received by the county will be a welcome sight.
“This will be a big plus given the amount of damage we had,” Glenn said, who indicated he will be meeting with state and federal officials next week to determine the amount of money available.
“We’re hoping for around $200,000,” Glenn said. “But, we won’t know until we meet. Usually its on a 75-25 scale where the government contributes 75 percent and the locals pay 25 percent.”