KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Reid Pledges to Seek Funding after Fernley Levee Break
Member Center:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has pledged to fight for full-scale federal aid to people with flood-damaged homes in Fernley.
The Nevada Democrat today took a helicopter tour over the flooded area 30 miles east of Reno and then received a briefing from local, state and federal officials in Fernley.
Reid says he thinks Saturday's canal collapse caused enough damage to justify a federal disaster declaration that would allow for grants and low-interest loans to flood victims.
He also pledged efforts to seek funding to improve the 105-year-old, earthen canal.
Reid was backed by Senator John Ensign and Congressman Dean Heller in pressing for the order by President Bush.
Governor Gibbons, who already issued a state emergency order, also supports the request.
But Michael Karl of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says the request seems to be "marginal" because the extent of the damage may not meet standards for federal assistance.
But he says there were added factors such as victims' lack of flood insurance -- only one homeowner had such a policy -- and the flood's adverse economic impact on the town.
The Nevada Division of Emergency Management yesterday estimated that 290 homes had varying degrees of flood damage. But Karl today put the number at 200, saying half of those had major damage.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
