English asks Bush for aid for counties in Pa.

Cleanup costs in Mercer, Crawford and Warren counties are expected to top $9 million.
SHARON, Pa. -- U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd, has asked President Bush to declare a federal disaster emergency after recent flooding from heavy rainstorms in northwestern Pennsylvania.
"As a result of the severe conditions, over 250,000 residents in six counties, including Mercer, Crawford and Warren in my district, suffered from extensive losses," English said.
He wrote to Bush, asking the president to approve Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance for the affected areas. Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties in Ohio have been declared federal disaster areas because of flooding and severe weather.
Pennsylvania declared a disaster emergency in Mercer and seven other northwestern Pennsylvania counties last week, a requirement to getting a similar FEMA designation.
Lawrence County is still undergoing a state review to see if the losses there warrant a disaster declaration as well.
Property damage
Mercer County officials reported damage to public property such as roads, bridges and sewer plants exceeding $1.5 million. No estimates were done on private property.
Lawrence County officials reported at least $1 million in damage to public and private property.
English said cleanup costs in Mercer, Crawford and Warren counties are expected to exceed $9 million in storms that began July 21. The heavy rains were accompanied by tornadoes and severe winds, he said.