The federal government won't chip in as big a share toward flood repairs this year as it did in 1993, but money is available if you know how to ask.

Officials with local governmental agencies learned how to apply at a meeting with representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency Friday.

A Disaster Recovery Center will open next week to offer individuals or business owners the same type of information on how to get help.

The center will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Cape Girardeau's Arena Park. Flood victims may also call 1-800-462-9029 to request help.

On Friday, government representatives learned that following the rules, filling out the correct forms and meeting timetables are keys to getting federal disaster funds.

Money is available to help repair roads, bridges, water control systems, public buildings and public utilities.

The goal is to restore things to pre-flood conditions.

In some cases, money will be available for mitigation, a way to prevent the flooding from happening again.

Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Larry Bock said the county will investigate the availability of federal money for a permanent levee at Dutchtown.

This year and in 1993, a temporary levee was built at Dutchtown to keep floodwaters at bay. Residents from the community have asked the commission to consider building a permanent levee.

Spokesmen for the State Emergency Management Agency explained that some things have changed since the flood two years ago.

In 1993, because of the widespread devastation flooding caused, the federal government paid 90 percent of the state's eligible cleanup and repair costs. This year, the flooding wasn't as bad nor as widespread. The federal government will pay 75 percent of the eligible costs.

The remaining 25 percent will be shared by state and local governments.

"We will get a portion of the money we have spent back," Bock said, "but it doesn't sound like as good a repayment program as before."

The county, for example, has spent more than $40,000 related to the flood. County roads were damaged at Dutchtown, Allenville and Neely's Landing. The county had added expenses from road crews working to keep roads open, build a temporary levee at Dutchtown and to reopen roads after the water subsided.

In addition, sheriff's deputies patrolled flooded areas to enforce a curfew and racked up lots of overtime hours.

The officials at Friday's meeting have started the ball rolling by filling out the appropriate forms. The next step is for inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to return and determine how much federal money will be paid.