Arkansas Lawmakers Call On Bush, FEMA To Declare A Disaster

Little Rock, AR (AHN) - The Arkansas legislature has urged President George Bush and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare the state a disaster area after floods caused by days of heavy rains damaged a large part of the state.

U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D), along with U.S. Reps. John Boozman (R), Marion Berry (D), Vic Snyder (D) and Mike Ross (D) made the call Tuesday night amid non-stop rains that began on March 18 and have damaged or destroyed buildings and left people homeless in 35 counties statewide.

The lawmakers said federal assistance is needed to help affected people recover from their losses, according to Arkansasmatters.com.

Meanwhile, FEMA began assessing damage reports on Wednesday and the results will be given to Gov. Mike Beebe for the purpose of getting federal assistance for infrastructure repairs and for help for individuals.

Water level at the White River has risen to dangerous levels breaching its levees and flooding farmlands and properties in Des Arc. Volunteers built sandbag barriers to hold back flood waters.