Hutchinson ? Flooding in late May did at least $3 million in damage to Reno County public works and officials say they will need federal help to pay for repairs.

About 8 inches of rain fell in just a few hours on May 23, washing out roads, destroying culverts and leaving many townships with repair bills higher than local budgets.

The $3 million figure is based on repair estimates provided Monday by cities, townships and drainage districts. The estimate does not include damages in communities that did not have a representative at Monday’s meeting, damages not yet discovered because of standing water and losses suffered by private property owners.

Doug Franz, a member of the Little River Township board, said restoring the township’s assets will cost an estimated $480,000. That was the largest repair estimate quoted Monday, but eight other public entities in Reno County have calculated damages running up to six figures.

And those repairs will cost far more than the annual budgets for the rural agencies. For example, Yoder Township Drainage District had just under $30,000 in available funds for all of 2006, according to courthouse records, but damage from May 23 flooding there was estimated at $110,000.

Reno County Drainage District No. 3, which is in the Yoder-Haven vicinity, had $4,011.93 at the end of last year, and is facing more than $1 million in repairs from storms on May 4-5 and May 23.

Reno County officials hope to get a presidential disaster declaration, which would provide federal money to pay for 75 percent or more of recovery costs.

Reno County Commissioner Larry Sharp said the county will focus on repairing its roads and bridges, but might make staff and equipment available to other taxing entities if it gets at least partial reimbursement from the federal government.