By Associated Press
Mobile, AL – While it may take another year to fix all of Hurricane Katrina's damage in Alabama, FEMA has agreed to pay a larger share of the estimated $110 (M) million recovery cost for 22 counties that qualify for the aid. The federal share had been 75 percent of the state's costs, which included such recovery projects as road and bridge repairs and debris removal. Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency increased its share to 90 percent, retroactive to August 29th of 2005, when Katrina struck. Benjie Abbott, the recovery branch chief at the Alabama EMA in Clanton, says that extra 15 percent could total between $9 (m) million and $10 (m) million. Engineer Bill Melton, the environmental director for Mobile County, says that's something to look forward to. Mobile County received the heaviest blow from Katrina in Alabama. Melton says repairs continue on three bridges in south Mobile County.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)