What started out in the news as just “flooding in the Midwest” in early June is now nationally being referred to as “The Great Flood of 2008.”

The flooding began in places like the Kickapoo River watershed on June 7-8, and included widespread flooding in Minnesota and and Iowa. The flood has done nothing but continue to roll downstream, drenching community after community along the Mississippi River.

A four-county meeting of government officials is planned for Tuesday, July 8, at Viroqua High School to discuss the process of applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency money to fix roadways. The meeting is for village, town and city officials and will include Crawford, Richland, Vernon and Monroe counties.

Flooding has spread to Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. The flooding has led to 24 deaths and has moved 38,000 people from their homes.

In the past week in Vernon County, the number of flood-related claims for aid to FEMA increased from 283 to 447 as of Monday, Mike Skeels, a public information officer for FEMA, said Tuesday.

Although the worst of the flooding took place more than three weeks ago, new claims regarding the flood damage are still steadily coming in with 12 received on Monday. The FEMA field office in Viroqua at Living Faith Church remains open. It is also the central office for the Small Business Administration and the Red Cross.

“I have not seen anything that leads me to believe the Viroqua office will be closing any time soon,” Skeels said. “It’s open based on need and there’s still a need.”

Flood damage inspectors from FEMA continue to make calls in Vernon County. The total probable estimate for overall damage caused by flooding in Vernon County has not changed from the $75 million reported last week.

Areas hit the hardest by the flooding include Ontario, La Farge, Viola and Readstown in Vernon County. Those who still have claims to file with FEMA can do so by calling 1-800-621-3362 or they can apply online at www.fema.gov