Legislators to visit flood-ravaged Dixie

Utah legislative leaders will visit Washington County today to see for themselves the damage done by this month's deadly floods. The group will include one lawmaker who is calling for an immediate infusion of $25 million in state aid.

"We need $25 million within a week or so to continue repairs," said Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara. "We'll be asking the Legislature for an interest-free loan that we can pay back when (the Federal Emergency Management Agency's) money comes through."

The loan is only the start of the help sought from the state.

"This won't be everything," House Majority Whip Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, said. "There's still a lot more we need to look at. One thing that might make some sense is some sort of state disaster relief fund."

Rep. Brad Last, R-Hurricane, said today's legislative tour of the flood damage in Washington County is an important part of the relief effort.

"It's extremely important for them to have a look at the devastation. They need to stand on the banks of the Santa Clara and Virgin rivers and see what has happened," said Last.

St. George and Santa Clara were the hardest hit, losing homes, bridges, roads and public utility lines.

"The dollar amount in damage is a moving target, but we need immediate help. We're talking in the millions of dollars," Last said. "Cities are getting invoices for the work done, and they can't pay them. We need to be able to cover the costs being incurred today."

Last said that while it's "unreasonable" to expect the state to cut a check today, he is hopeful funds will be released soon.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, who'll make the trip to southern Utah, said he wants to see the devastation firsthand. "I expect to find a lot of homes having slid into the river," he said, as well as damage to sewer and water lines and roads.

Lawmakers are scheduled to fly to St. George this morning in the state plane and tour the flood-ravaged area both on the ground and, Valentine said, from a helicopter provided by the Utah Air National Guard. They are set to return to Salt Lake City later this afternoon.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has already declared Washington County a disaster area and requested FEMA assistance. FEMA could pick up 75 percent of the cost of rebuilding infrastructure, such as sewer lines.