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DOT approves funds for flood repairs
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The Georgia Department of Transportation has approved $200,000 in emergency funding to repair road and culvert damages caused by the heavy rains and flooding in Dawson County in May.

Dawson County suffered nearly $600,000 in damage during the May 19 storm that dumped more than 6 inches of rain in less than seven hours and forced several road closures.

Made available through the state's 2013 Emergency Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant, the funds, which require a 30 percent match from the county, are intended to cover repairs on Valley, Elliott, Sweetwater Juno and Hugh Stowers roads, as well as Grant Road West and Steve Tate Highway.

"It's a reimbursement kind of program where you do the work and they'll reimburse you," said Dawson County Engineer Corey Gutherie.

The flooding also washed away a gravel portion of Etowah River Road, which is expected to remain closed according to commissioners, due to its $500,000 estimated repair cost.

Gutherie said the emergency funds could be utilized for turn-arounds, or cul-de-sacs, on each side of the washed out portion of Etowah River Road.

"It is an eligible expense," he said.