Governor to ask for Etowah County disaster declaration

While President Barack Obama has declared four Alabama counties as disaster areas, Gov. Robert Bentley will ask him to add Etowah County today according to Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner.  Faulkner toured the Smith Institute community Saturday after other state EMA officials and FEMA officials toured the area Friday by helicopter.  He said his office will continue to work on its assessments and hopefully have them ready by today for the governor to present to the president.  Limestone, Lee, Baldwin and Jefferson counties were declared major disaster areas late Friday night and now are eligible for assistance from FEMA.  Faulkner said Bentley will ask for individual, public and small business assistance from FEMA. It is not clear what assistance may be granted by FEMA, but Faulkner said the governor and the state will make sure Smith Institute and other areas in Etowah County are taken care of regardless.