US homeland head sees flooding, considers more aid

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano flew over flooded swaths of Rhode Island on Friday, calling the damage significant and saying she's considering a plea by officials for additional federal aid for the economically battered state.
Some areas of the northeastern state were still under water after three days of pounding rain throughout the region this week sent rivers overflowing to record levels, hitting Rhode Island harder than any other state.
The National Weather Service said it did not expect the Pawtuxet River, source of much of the flooding, to go below flood stage until at least Sunday.
President Barack Obama had already declared a disaster in much of the state. That triggers some federal money, but the state is required to pick up some of the tab.
In a news conference with Napolitano on Friday, the state's congressional delegation pressed for more federal help in the form of grants, rather than loans. Rep. Jim Langevin, whose district was hardest hit, says families, individuals and businesses need the help as soon as possible.
Carcieri has said ithe worst flooding to hit the state in at least 200 years might have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.
Shopping malls, small businesses and mills are still under water in the state, which has nearly 13 percent of its residents unemployed.