The county has been declared a disaster by President Barack Obama, and so federal funds could be available for Bella Vista road repairs.

Benton County Judge Bob Clinard was notifi ed Sept. 4 of the declaration for Arkansas, including Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion and Newton counties.

Federal Emergency Management Agency inspectors will visit with county and city officials Sept. 18 to discuss the disaster assistance programs, Mayor Frank Anderson said. Inspectors also will visit more than 200 locations identifi ed as having damage from thestorm to do “project worksheets” detailing the nature and extent of the damage, the material needed and estimated cost, according to Robert McGowen, director of Benton County Emergency Services.

“(FEMA) will work with us on each site we’re suggesting is big enough of a disaster to use federal assistance on,” Anderson said Monday, adding he hopes to get two roads - Granshire Drive and Scotsdale Drive - in better shape than they were before Aug.

8 fl ooding rains.

From experience in years past with FEMA assistance, Anderson said he estimates it will be six to 10 weeks after the Sept. 18 meeting before word on the amount of assistance the city mightget. Until then, he plans to keep Granshire, along with portions of Murphy Drive and Bassingham Drive, closed to allow the project manager to see the extent of the damage.

Repairs have not yet been done on the hole on Winstone Lane. Anderson said he is still waiting on word from engineers regarding the best way to fi x the road.

News, Pages 4 on 09/11/2013