FEMA sends El Paso damage report to Bush for decision on disaster declaration

Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives have finished their assessment of storm damage in El Paso and sent their report to President Bush, who will now determine whether the area is eligible for federal assistance, officials said Thursday.
Even if El Paso's flood devastation does not meet FEMA's guidelines, the region can still be declared a disaster area at the discretion of the president.

"It is time for every elected official to write a personal letter to the president so that we can put a face to the disaster," said state Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso.

from the El Paso Times