FEMA extends deadline for Galveston

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - Galveston is getting more time to use federal dollars to pay for clearing and cleaning the Hurricane Ike-recovering island.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency , which is picking up the cost to clean storm drains and cut down dead trees, has agreed to extend what was an 18-month deadline.

Ike slammed Galveston on Sept. 13, 2008, swamping parts of the city and damaging or destroying stretches of property. The Galveston County Daily News reported Monday that so far crews have removed more than 12,000 dead trees.

City spokeswoman Alicia Cahill said contractors using vacuum trucks are nearly finished cleaning almost 40 miles of storm drains. Galveston will use the sand and silt to elevate the city's recycling center.

FEMA will reevaluate in June if the deadline needs to be extended again.