Bush declares Maine federal disaster area after severe floods destroy hundreds of homes

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

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Perilous Times and Global Warming

Bush declares Maine federal disaster area after severe floods destroy
hundreds of homes*

AP

AUGUSTA, Maine - President Bush declared a northern Maine county a
federal disaster on Friday after historic flooding that destroyed and
damaged hundreds of homes this month.

The declaration makes federal assistance available in Aroostook County
for temporary housing, repairs and disaster-related expenses not covered
by insurance or other assistance programs. Teams from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency have been in the state assessing damage.

When he sought the federal declaration, Gov. John Baldacci estimated
that more than 200 homes were damaged and that as many as 1,000 people
were displaced.

An aerial estimate indicated more than 400 structures were probably
damaged. The flood also damaged many roads and bridges.

"I have not ever seen such extraordinary damage to so many homes,
buildings and infrastructure in our state," said Sen. Susan Collins,
R-Maine.