Some of Lawrence County's neighbors will get federal help recovering from the floods that accompanied the remnants of this summer's three hurricanes, but that same assistance will not be extended to Lawrence Countians.

Because of the hurricanes, September rainfall approached 9 inches and topped a record for the month.

Lawrence County EMA/911 Director Don Mootz told the Lawrence County Commission last week that there were not enough houses with significant damage to warrant assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"To qualify there has to be 25 homes with 40 percent structural damage," Mootz said. "We only have eight with 40 percent structural damage."

Last month, President George W. Bush declared federal disasters for Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Washington counties. Athens, Meigs, Mahoning, Vinton and Gallia counties were added to the list, making them eligible for individual assistance.

Mootz said there is a possibility that Lawrence County could add its losses to that of Cabell County, W.Va., but he is still waiting to hear if the joint request would be allowed. In the meantime, some families are getting assistance from the American Red Cross.

The houses that were affected by flooding were not concentrated in any one particular part of the county, but were scattered in low-lying areas, Mootz said.

On Monday, Gov. Bob Taft announced that Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas and Washington counties were eligible for federal public assistance that can be used by government entities to repair infrastructure damages that have been estimated to top $52 million in these counties.

In addition to the FEMA aid, nine Appalachian counties in southern Ohio will receive a total of $500,000

from the Appalachian Regional Commission to help with recovery efforts.

Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, asked for the funding for Belmont, Harrison, Carroll, Guernsey, Morgan, Muskingum, Tuscarawas, Athens and Vinton counties.

''With initial damage estimates already exceeding $30 million for these counties, this is a situation that requires the assistance of all levels of government,'' he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.