Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

4 Fla. Counties Declared Disaster Zones

Rising rivers threaten sunshine state

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2008 5:32 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Florida's governor warned today that floodwaters may worsen as President Bush declared four state counties disaster zones, the St. Petersburg Times and the AP report. Gov. Charlie Crist, touring areas hard-hit by Tropical Storm Fay, said cresting Panhandle rivers and water pouring in from Georgia and Alabama could heighten the state's "unprecedented flooding."

Bush's declaration puts four counties on the list for emergency work and repair aid, but homeowners cannot yet apply. More counties may be added after officials survey the damage. Fay, which is blamed for 11 deaths in Florida, has now weakened to a tropical depression. Not all are concerned: "We need something like this to recharge the soil," one Alabama forecaster said.


Stranded residents are ferried out after tropical storm Fay flooded their Timber Lake neighborhood on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Stranded residents are ferried out after tropical storm Fay flooded their Timber Lake neighborhood on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008 in Tallahassee, Fla.   (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
A family walks to dry land after helping a resident, who was flooded out by Tropical Storm Fay, move some furniture in a home in Debary, Fla., Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
A family walks to dry land after helping a resident, who was flooded out by Tropical Storm Fay, move some furniture in a home in Debary, Fla., Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Jim Robertson walks along a downed pine tree to survey the damage to his apartment, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Tallahassee, Fla. The tree, which measured eight foot in circumference, fell on Saturday as tropical storm Fay moved through the area.
Jim Robertson walks along a downed pine tree to survey the damage to his apartment, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Tallahassee, Fla. The tree, which measured eight foot in circumference, fell on Saturday as...   (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Stranded residents are ferried out after tropical storm Fay flooded their Timber Lake neighborhood on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Stranded residents are ferried out after tropical storm Fay flooded their Timber Lake neighborhood on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008 in Tallahassee, Fla.   (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 01:45 PM EDT shows the remains of Tropical Storm Fay over the Southern region of the US. Clouds just to the west of the Lesser Antilles are associated with a tropical wave that has some potential to strengthen into...
This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 01:45 PM EDT shows the remains of Tropical Storm Fay over the Southern region of the US. Clouds just to the west of the Lesser Antilles are...   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Up to a foot of rain still possible
CNN

US

 
severe weather • tropical storms • Tropical Storm Fay

More Newser Stories

Fay Heads West After 4th Fla. Landfall

Fay Sets Course for Florida Panhandle

Weakening Fay Soaks Florida

Tropical Storms Nate, Maria Form

Hurricane Katia Weakens to Category 1
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne