FEMA Disaster Teams Surveying Damage From Tropical Storm Erin

Tuesday, August 28th 2007, 4:55 pm

By: News On 6

FEMA gets a firsthand look at storm damage in Green Country. Beginning Tuesday, federal disaster teams started surveying damage in counties where a state of emergency was declared following heavy rain caused by Tropical Storm Erin. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports community leaders in Muskogee County are hoping for some much needed help.

In Muskogee County, road crews are fixing damage caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin.

"We really didn't think we would ever get a tropical storm up here, but I guess we did," said Road Administrator Bob Burgess.

Heavy rain in a short amount of time washed a lot of gravel off roads and into drainage ditches. Before crews could smooth out the rough spots, some of the hardest hit roads were more like washboards.

"When you get six inches of rain in a couple hours on top of already saturated ground, it's pretty hard to deal with," Burgess said.

For the county, it's an expensive and time consuming job. Muskogee County is one of 24 counties statewide where FEMA and state emergency workers are looking at damage. Those teams will determine if there is enough damage to qualify for federal help. They will examine damage to roads, bridges, public facilities and will factor up costs associated with dealing with the disaster.

"If those other counties and our county meet the dollar figure then what will happen is they'll take it to the governor, and the governor will take it to FEMA," said Emergency Management Director Eugene Blankenship.

Counties could then get partial or full reimbursement for material and manpower. That would be welcome in Muskogee County where a severe winter ice storm and constant rain early this summer also caused problems.

"In a good year, we stretch our budget pretty tight," Burgess said.

Until word from FEMA comes, county crews will keep working, and hoping help is headed their way.

President Bush declared a major disaster in Blaine, Caddo and Kingfisher counties. Flood victims can now apply for things like home repair assistance and small business loans.

Watch the video: FEMA Officials Tour Flood Damaged Oklahoma

Related Stories:

8/24/2007 Government Approves Assistance For Storm Victims

8/22/2007 Henry Requests Federal Disaster Declaration For 3 Counties

8/21/2007 Damage Assessment Continues Following Weekend Flooding

8/20/2007 Governor Declares State Of Emergency

8/19/2007 Officials Contact FEMA About Federal Assistance Request