Obama OKs flood relief

President Barack Obama Thursday issued a major disaster declaration for severe weather that occurred from April 16 through June 20 in 11 Colorado counties, including Pueblo.

Preliminary assessments showed nearly $20 million in damage in the affected counties, but the amount of assistance available could change.

Gov. John Hickenlooper requested the declaration last week, supported by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and U.S. Reps. Scott Tipton, Ken Buck and Doug Lamborn, all Colorado Republicans.

The damage in Pueblo County was assessed at $685,000.

Other area counties were El Paso, $13.9 million; Fremont, $626,000; Baca, $140,000; and Saguache, $22,000. Other counties were Elbert, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma.

Pueblo’s damage occurred mainly along Fountain Creek, including a washout of Overton Road and extensive damage within the city of Pueblo, as well as damage to roads in Beulah.