The head of FEMA has denied a request from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe for a federal disaster declaration after February's tornadoes. The reason? FEMA says the state and local governments are capable of providing the needed relief.
FEMA Director David Paulison says Governor Beebe specifically asked for federal aid for Desha County and for private individuals, including those who who need temporary housing.
Paulison says the damage to the private sector was not so great and that the state and local governments should be able to take care of it with federal help. U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln says the agency has agreed to work through general services administration to get 30 travel trailers and mobile homes to the county for residents there.
The February 24th storms hurt 27 people in Dumas, Arkansas, destroyed or damaged 150 homes and put at least 800 people out of work. The town was without electricity of days and residents had to boil their drinking water as a health precaution.
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