Clinton to make call on flood aid

Monday, July 19, 1999 | 11:40 a.m.

The fate of Nevada's request for $20.5 million in disaster aid after a series of storms wreaked havoc in Las Vegas over the last two weeks will rest with President Clinton, federal emergency officials said today.

A presidential declaration would allow federal funds to aid Clark County and Las Vegas in cleanup and repairs of roads, channels and other public facilities inundated by floodwaters. The county estimates that damage at $20.5 million.

The declaration would also offer homeowners and business owners access to low-cost loans and in some cases grants for recovery.

Clark County Commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury said 353 private homes were damaged and five were destroyed.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency report on flood damage in Clark County went to its Washington, D.C., headquarters Friday afternoon. FEMA officials would not say whether or not they recommended approval.

The headquarters office will forward the recommendation to the White House after its review. There is no deadline.

Clark County emergency officials said they were hopeful that FEMA would act quickly. County Emergency Management Director Bob Andrews said every member of the congressional delegation had contacted FEMA and the presidential staff.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., even had dinner with Clinton and Israel's new Prime Minister Ehud Barak at the White House on Sunday, and said she brought up Southern Nevada's need for federal assistance during the dinner.

The president said he is aware of Southern Nevada's need and "is working on it," Berkley's chief of staff Richard Urey said this morning.

Gov. Kenny Guinn declared Clark County a state disaster area on Thursday, making neighborhoods ravaged by floodwaters during fierce rainstorms eligible for state funds.

The governor then sent a letter to Clinton requesting a 100 percent federal grant to cover damages to public facilities and unassessed private property.

FEMA Regional Manager Eliza Chan said last week that the federal agency normally provides 75 percent of the funding while the affected areas offer 25 percent. In Southern Nevada's case, the local share would run about $5.2 million.

Guinn and local officials have said there is no extra money available for flood repairs.