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Bush declares storm disaster in Northwest

by Open-Publishing - Monday 10 December 2007
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Catastrophes USA

Bush declares storm disaster in Northwest

Move opens door to federal assistance for region ravaged by floods

The Associated Press
updated 9:56 p.m. ET Dec. 8, 2007

PORTLAND, Ore. - President Bush declared a federal disaster for 11 counties in the Pacific Northwest on Saturday, clearing the way for federal aid after severe storms ravaged parts of Oregon and Washington.

The declaration provides recovery assistance to five northwestern Oregon and six southwestern Washington counties. It does not include assistance for individuals.

The disaster declaration says the federal government will reimburse 75 percent of the public cost for disaster response in those designated areas. It also creates a grant program that would provide federal money to take steps to reduce damage from future disasters such as burying utility lines.

FEMA spokeswoman Debbie Wing said more types of assistance could be granted and more counties could be covered as floodwaters recede and officials get a better look at the damage.

Oregon and Washington saw severe flooding, landslides and mudslides as the result of storms that hit the coast Dec. 1-3. Eight deaths were blamed on the disaster: two in Oregon and six in Washington, including a pair of hikers in the Cascade Mountains.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22163619/

Forum posts

  • I really do think burying utility cables is a really good idea, unless you live in a tectonically active part of the world, such as Oregon and Washington state. Has anybody ever told you, Americans are stupid.