4 Fla. Counties Declared Disaster Zones

Florida's governor warned today that floodwaters may worsen as President Bush declared four state counties disaster zones, the St. Petersburg Times and the AP report. Gov. Charlie Crist, touring areas hard-hit by Tropical Storm Fay, said cresting Panhandle rivers and water pouring in from Georgia and Alabama could heighten the state's "unprecedented flooding."

Bush's declaration puts four counties on the list for emergency work and repair aid, but homeowners cannot yet apply. More counties may be added after officials survey the damage. Fay, which is blamed for 11 deaths in Florida, has now weakened to a tropical depression. Not all are concerned: "We need something like this to recharge the soil," one Alabama forecaster said.
(More severe weather stories.)