Ala. Gov. seeks federal aid for Isaac

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - PAYING FOR ISAAC

 When Hurricane Isaac lashed Alabama, it didn't create a catastrophe; but it did create quite a mess. That has taken millions of dollars to clean up. Now, local governments are hoping for some reimbursement. Governor Robert Bentley got the ball rolling for that assistance by sending a letter to President Obama.

 Alabama EMA director, Art Faulkner told us, "The request that the governor made of President Obama was to declare a disaster area in Mobile and Baldwin counties for the impact of hurricane Isaac "

Faulkner said in the initial assessment Governor Bentley is asking for ten million dollars, mostly for surge related damage in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Pickens County in central Alabama, which received flood damage, is also included in that amount.

 "That would be for the emergency protective measures, the debris and then any type of permanent work that they require there," Faulkner said.

  REQUEST NOT FOR INDIVIDUALS

 The money, if it's granted, would go to reimburse local governments. This request won't provide any additional assistance for individuals affected by the storm.

 "This is not a request for individual assistance," Faulkner told us. "This is strictly a request to reimburse the locals for their costs associated with the storm and then any residual effects to their infrastructure as a result of it."

 Faulkner said individuals looking for assistance need to go through their local EMA and recovery organizations. In the meantime local governments will be waiting for word on a declaration.

 "We just hope that they'll look at the figures and hopefully sometime this week we can hear something back on an answer from the president," Faulkner said.

 100 PERCENT OR 75 PERCENT?

Faulkner says the governor's request is for a 100 percent reimbursement, but that often in these cases a 75 percent reimbursement is more likely.