Ark. gov. 'frustrated' with tornado response (By Bush Admin)

Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday he was frustrated with the federal government for not declaring a disaster in tornado-struck southern Arkansas.

Beebe told reporters he did not understand why a federal declaration had not been made for Dumas, where a tornado wiped out dozens of homes and businesses last month.

"We're frustrated, yes," Beebe said, when asked about comments made by U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., who was critical of the federal response.

"We're frustrated with the federal government not authorizing federal disaster assistance on the federal level for Dumas. We don't understand yet why."

Over the weekend, Ross criticized President Bush and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for what he called a slow response to the Arkansas tornadoes.

LinkHere