KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Army Corps of Engineers estimates it
will cost more than $2 billion to repair the damage to the nation's
levees, dams and riverbanks caused by this year's excessive
flooding.
That sum dwarfs the $150 million the corps has on hand for such
repairs and will likely rise because it doesn't account yet for
damage caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
The Senate is considering a $7 billion emergency disaster relief
bill that would route $1.3 billion to the corps. And a competing
House bill would route $3.7 billion to disaster aid, including $226
million to the corps.
The corps has prioritized repairs that will protect lives once
next year's flood season begins. Crews are racing to repair
Mississippi River levees while Missouri River levels continue to
recede.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-09-15-11 1815EDT
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