Indiana & Midwest Flooding Update

Eight Die As Twisters, Torrential Rains And Flooding Hit Midwest Mother Nature savaged parts of the Midwest this weekend, bringing tornadoes, thunderstorms, torrential rains and flooding to an already storm-weary region. CBS News reports at least six people lost their lives in Michigan as a result of the severe weather. In Indiana, one person is dead and at least three people are missing due to flooding triggered by Saturdays rains. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has declared 44 counties disaster areas and has sent a letter to President Bush asking for federal assistance. Its no better in Iowa, where theres some of the worst flooding in 15 years. The extreme weather conditions are being blamed for at least one death and hundreds have been forced from their homes. Governor Chet Culver has declared an emergency in 31 Iowa counties. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is the latest state to be under a state of emergency because of heavy rains and flooding. Governor Jim Doyle made the declaration for 29 counties so residents would be eligible for state and federal help. Thirteen Indiana Counties Added To Emergency Flood List (Indianapolis) -- A total of 23 Indiana counties are covered by an emergency disaster declaration because of record flooding. Hundreds of people remain out of their homes in Morgan, Johnson, and other counties as the attention turns to downstream locations. One death in Bartholomew County is blamed on high water. Governor Mitch Daniels praised the work done by emergency response teams after getting a helicopter tour of the flooded counties on Sunday. His office says that more than 800 National Guard members are assisting with security and sandbagging in areas where high water is expected on Monday. The East Fork White River in Columbus on Sunday went a foot beyond the previous record crest of 21 feet in 1913. The White River has crested near Spencer, according to the National Weather Service. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-06-09-08 0303CDT Indiana Governor Petitions President For Expedited Assistance (Indianapolis, IN) -- Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has sent a letter to President Bush, asking for a major disaster to be declared in 44 Indiana counties. The move to expedite the process would allow a decision by the president without a complete tally of damages by the state. A statement from the governors office says FEMA Director David Paulison has said the request would be signed as quickly as possible. Daniels wrote in the five-page letter that he has "determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments." Counties hit by tornadoes are included in the request. Daniels said earlier that relief for residents flooded out of their homes could come in the form of grants or low-interest loans.