ALSTEAD, N.H. (AP) – While construction equipment lumbered along the dark river bank, hundreds of flood victims gathered in a school gymnasium Tuesday night to learn what kind of help they can expect in the coming months.

When all the seats were taken, people stood lining the walls and sat on the floor in front of the stage, where local, state and federal representatives updated them on flood relief efforts and explained how to get everything from mental health counseling to new septic systems.

“We have agencies coming out of our ears,” said Selectman Matt Saxton. “Let’s not be shy about taking advantage of it.”

Bruce Cheney, director of the state Division of Emergency Services, said the state will send a letter to the White House in the next few days asking that six of New Hampshire’s 10 counties be declared disaster areas.

Cheney said the Federal Emergency Management Agency hasn’t determined whether individuals will be eligible for federal help but he believes that will happen.

In Alstead, the hardest-hit flooded community, he said 36 homes were destroyed and 50 more received at least minor damage.

In the flooding, three people were killed and another four are presumed dead.

Saxton opened the meeting by expressing sadness over the lives lost but gratitude for those saved.

“While we have worked to understand what happened, we’ve watched an amazing and wonderful tide of people streaming into our small town to put it back together,” he said.

He singled out Democratic Gov. John Lynch, praising his sincerity in trying to help the community.

“This is no ordinary politician,” said Saxton, an independent. “He feels this. He didn’t suffers this, but he feels it.”

Earlier Tuesday, Lynch said remarkable progress has been made in repairing flood damage in southwestern New Hampshire, but much work has to be done.

Lynch met Tuesday with local officials and representatives of state agencies, utility companies and the Red Cross to get an update and make sure everyone who has been able to return to their homes has power and telephone service.

“I want the families to be treated just as if they were my own family,” he said. “That’s the kind of help I would hope these families do in fact receive.”

The governor has made many trips to the flood zone since Oct. 10. He said it’s important he lead the recovery in person because he can bring resources to bear without delay.

“I can make sure the different state departments are working well together and working with private sector companies to restore communications to the families quickly, to restore power, to get the schools open,” he said.

Lynch has been giving out laminated cards containing important phone numbers, including his personal cell phone number. He said he has received many calls from officials and companies working on the repairs, and from residents who need help.

“There was one gentleman I met with today who is shy and reserved and his house was completely washed away,” Lynch said. The man planned to be at Tuesday night’s meeting at the gymnasium and “I told him if he didn’t get the assistance he needed, to call me tomorrow.”

AP-ES-10-18-05 2055EDT