Official Critical Of Federal Agency

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A Kingfisher official said Thursday he is discouraged with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to massive flooding in the area. <br/><br/>City Manager Richard Reynolds

Thursday, August 30th 2007, 3:04 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A Kingfisher official said Thursday he is discouraged with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to massive flooding in the area.

City Manager Richard Reynolds said FEMA inspectors have repeatedly rejected the possibility of federal aid to repair public infrastructure because there is evidence of ``prior damage caused by water.''

``It's pretty discouraging,'' Reynolds told the House Transportation Subcommittee. He said he did not have a meeting with FEMA officials until this week. Floodwaters swamped the Kingfisher area on Aug. 19.

He said he understood FEMA did send people to the area to take photographs soon after the flood. Reynolds said it was the third flood in Kingfisher this year.

He said FEMA ruled out federal help for such things as sink holes in the road and cracks in public buildings. ``FEMA is not our salvation,'' he said.

FEMA officials did not immediately return telephone calls for comment.