Flood damage won’t trigger federal aid

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- Flooding along the Virgin River in northwest Arizona last week apparently did not cause enough damage to qualify for repairs financed through loans and other federal relief efforts.

That's the conclusion of experts who spent much of Tuesday assessing soggy homes and washed-out roadways in the communities of Beaver Dam and Littlefield.

Mohave County spokesman Darryle Purcell said officials will continue exploring ways to secure other forms of assistance after storms Dec. 19-22.

Purcell said at least seven houses were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Ten more sustained minimal flood damage, he said, and 140 others suffered temporary loss of water or wastewater service.

Byron Steward, Mohave County emergency management coordinator, said floodwater from the Beaver Dam Wash also heavily damaged a golf course and a mix of public and private roads.