ALSTEAD, N.H. (AP) – The town has spent more than twice its annual budget because of repair work in the wake of October’s devastating floods.

“Financially, we’re in a deep hole,” said Selectman Joel McCarty.

The flooding on Oct. 9 destroyed a dozen homes and damaged many more, washed out roads and bridges and killed six people in Alstead and nearby towns.

The town’s annual budget was set at slightly more than $1.4 million, but the town has spent more than $3 million. Most of the $1.5 million in flood spending was for road repairs, culvert repairs and dirt and gravel purchases, McCarty said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the town for 75 percent of flood-related spending, but the payments could take months, McCarty said. The town hopes the state will pick up the tab for the other 25 percent.

In the meantime, the state has offered short-term loans to cover continuing expenses.

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Information from: Eagle Times, http://www.eagle-times.com (temporary)

AP-ES-12-01-05 2200EST