By AP
Nashville, TN – Tennessee state and local officials finishing up an assessment of damage from last week's flash flooding hope to reach a $7.3 million statewide threshold to apply for federal aid.
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency director Jim Bassham says teams are continuing to look at damage to private property and public infrastructure in nine counties.
Bassham says he doesn't know yet whether the damage total is high enough to apply for a presidential disaster declaration, but says they should be finished with the assessment next week.
Governor Phil Bredesen praised the efforts of emergency workers and local governments in response to the drenching rains that caused roads and bridges to be washed out and stranded people in their homes and cars.