State adding up flood damage

Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 | 11:41 a.m.

State officials were in Las Vegas today tallying the damage from Tuesday's flash flood.

Preliminary estimates were that $12 million to $15 million in damage was done to public structures, but that could change as the state team finishes its work.

A revised estimate was expected to be completed by day's end Friday, Frank Siracusa, director of the state Division of Emergency Planning, said.

That estimate will determine whether Gov. Kenny Guinn will seek a federal disaster area designation, which would make property owners eligible for federal loans and grants.

The preliminary examination shows 37 homes suffered heavy damage and most did not have flood insurance, Siracusa said. The Red Cross is supplying some help to these homeowners, he said.

Siracusa said there are not many state programs that could provide assistance to these homeowners.

The state has a $7.5 million fund to help state and local governments that are hit with a major disaster to rebuild such things as streets, bridges or other structures damaged by a disaster.

The Small Business Administration may be able to help small businesses that were damaged, he said.

After getting some firm damage money totals, Siracusa said the local governments can then decide on their next step.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials were not involved in assessing flood damage or providing resources to those who suffered damages on Friday, regional FEMA officials said. They would not get involved unless Guinn requested it, they said.