Louisville Officials Calculating Flood Damage, Considering FEMA Aid Request

Louisville Metro Government officials have been surveying flood damage to see if the city qualifies for federal aid. So far, they've come up about $1.7 million short.So far, about $600,000 has been spent to keep the city's flood pumping stations active. An additional $100,000 will likely be required to clean and repair streets. That's short of the $2.4 million in damage necessary for the city to qualify for federal assistance. But Emergency Management Director Doug Hamilton says there may be some costs that haven't yet been tabulated."So we have asked all public agencies that have been involved in this effort to report their costs by close of business Monday to see if we can meet that threshold," he says.If the city crosses the threshold, Hamilton says Metro Government will ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency for funds. Louisville has been granted federal relief for three disasters in the last three years, though not all of it has been paid."We have some categories that are still out for the wind storm, actually, of 2008; some from the ice storm; and a small claim left from the third disaster, of August 4th 2009," says Hamilton.Hamilton says he's confident the money will be paid.Individuals may also apply for disaster relief funds for any uninsured flood damage.