ROCHESTER, Wash. - Flood weary residents in Thurston County are wondering why they aren't getting the same kind of individual federal help their neighbors in Lewis and Grays Harbor counties are.

"Everybody is talking about Grays Harbor and Lewis county and I see people here in Thurston county that are just as devastated who have lost just as much," said Thurston County Commission Chairman Diane Oberquell

There are some differences. The number damaged or destroyed homes and businesses FEMA is working off of is 10 times higher in Lewis compared to Thurston.

KING

Weary flood victims in Thurston County wonder why they are not getting help from the federal government.

But the state emergency management department says Thurston County could be eligible for individual federal aid if inspection teams tally up enough damage when they head out.

"We have to look at the damage reports and validate the damages so we won't know until Thursday night or Friday morning until the teams come back," said Kurt Hardin, State Emergency Management.

But in the end, many here, who have lost so much, know the feds can only do so much.

"All disasters are local and it is neighbor helping neighbor," said Oberquell.

The bottom line: If you have flood damage, you need to report it to your county emergency management office.

More than 1,600 people in Lewis, Grays Harbor counties seek aid

More than 1,600 requests for federal aid have been filed for storm damage recovery in Lewis and Grays Harbor counties.

Susan Reinertson, regional administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, says people, businesses and public agencies reported a total of $90 million in damage.

Reinertson is encouraging residents and business owners with storm damage to register for aid if they have not already done so.

The head of the state's military department, Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, says there's no doubt many more need that assistance.

The maximum amount of federal aid is $28,800 for each uninsured household, plus low-interest federal loans. Eligibility may be extended to more counties later.