FEMA AWAITS WORD ON FLOOD

Until the Federal Emergency Management Agency gets word from the President, the extent of federal assistance to flood victims in Missouri and Illinois remains undecided.

Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan requested President Clinton issue federal declarations of both individual and public assistance because of the flooding, tornadoes and storms that have hit Southeast Missouri recently.

Carnahan has requested individual assistance for 15 counties including Cape Girardeau and Scott counties. He has also requested public assistance for 13 counties, including Ste. Genevieve County.

Public assistance is used to restore damaged roads and public buildings. Private assistance is used to aid individuals and business owners who have lost property because of the flood.

Carnahan spokesman Chris Sifford said the governor's request hasn't been answered. He made the request Friday. "This isn't at all unusual," Sifford said. "We've made the request and are waiting for the evaluation to be made on how much federal assistance we can get. We expect to hear something in the next two or three days."

FEMA spokesman Mark Stevens said the agency can't act until the declaration is made. "The disaster declaration triggers federal aid and our disaster response," Stevens said.

If the request is denied, the governor has 30 days to appeal the decision and to show additional information on damage to flood victims.

Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Mo., sent letters to FEMA Director James L. Witt and Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, asking for swift assistance for farmers and citizens of southern Missouri.

Once a declaration is made FEMA is allowed to assess the flood damage and provide assistance for those affected. There is always a toll-free number available to take applications over the phone.

Federal disaster relief to victims of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Louisiana provided rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes were declared unlivable. Assistance is available for up to 18 months depending on the need.

A declaration on the disaster in Louisiana came a day after the governor's request. "Some responses come in a matter of hours or days and others in weeks," Sifford said.

Grants were also available for minor repairs to primary houses in the St. Charles Parish area that are either habitable or that could be made habitable.

Grants ranging from several thousand dollars to a maximum of $12,600 to help meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs is also available to Louisiana flood and storm victims.

Yet another benefit is unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lose jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.

Low-interest loans have been made available to Louisiana flood and storm victims at 4 or 8 percent to cover uninsured private and business property losses. Loans are available for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses and $1.5 million for businesses.

While officials of the emergency operations committee await word from FEMA, there is little to do but make spot checks on levees and watch the river's level.

The Mississippi River was at 45.3 Tuesday morning, down slightly from Monday's level of 45.5. The river is expected to be at 45.2 the next two days.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department said anyone seen trying to scale the floodwall will be arrested rather than warned.