More federal dollars could be on the way to Omaha to help recover from Friday's storm.

Monday, FEMA and Nebraska Emergency Management leaders toured some of the damaged areas. It was the first step toward completing the state's application for federal assistance.

"My folks have to look at it as it is now. They're taking pictures and looking at things," said Willie Nunn of FEMA. "We're glad we can get this pre-look so we can get the ball rolling."

Nunn and others visited debris drop-off sites in Omaha and damaged areas in Valley as well as others. The damage assessment process is expected to take all week.

"We have significant damage that has us making this request from FEMA for a major disaster declaration," said Al Berndt of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

Debris removal carries a big price tag, as does an Omaha storm-water treatment plant between Qwest Center and the Missouri River. Several 3 thousand pound steel filters broke there when rain flooded the building Friday.

"Just the weight of the water and the incoming force of the rain. It just literally collapsed," said Gordon Anderson.

The steel grates remove cans, bottles, and trash from the water before it gets to the Missouri River. Those items will pass freely into the river until repairs are made according to Omaha Public Works officials. Emergency management said it was too early to estimate the financial impact and damage in dollar figures, but said it would be a multi-million dollar fix.

Officials said the damage will be less than the damage caused by Kearney's tornado this spring, which was 25 million dollars. An assessment of the damage is expected to be ready for Governor Heineman by the end of the week. At that point, the state's application for federal help will be sent to Washington D.C., for President Bush's approval.