WEST, Texas, June 12 (UPI) -- West, Texas, site of a fertilizer plant explosion in April that killed 15 people, will not receive Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, the agency said.
FEMA will not pay the city of West a requested $60 million to repair or replace schools, sewer lines, water lines and other infrastructure caused when the blast rocked the community, destroying or damaging over 200 homes, the Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday.
The agency said in a letter to Texas Gov. Rick Perry's office Monday it has provided some financial assistance to help with debris removal, mental healthcare, food and legal services.
West Mayor Tommy Muska noted President Barack Obama visited the city after the explosion, pledging support.
"He said he was going to be right behind us," Muska said. "He's so far behind us that we can't even find him."
Perry evinced disappointment in the decision, but will continue to work with FEMA, his spokesman, Josh Havens, said.
