Governor requests major disaster declaration approval from the president
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Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe meets with community members in a storm-ravaged town, pledging his support with a promise to appeal to the president for an approval of disaster declarations that would provide funding to rebuild. Submitted
On April 2, Governor Mike Kehoe requested that President Donald J. Trump approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance in a total of 28 counties in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that devastated Missouri on March 14-15, claiming 13 lives and causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
In the aftermath of the severe storms and tornadoes that struck again on April 2, and with more hazardous weather in the forecast through next week, it is anticipated that additional counties will be added to the coverage lists originally specified by the governor.
“The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local partners have been working in close coordination with FEMA to document damage in the areas impacted by these storms,” Governor Kehoe said. “Today, we are requesting a federal disaster declaration to support the affected communities and their recovery efforts. We are confident federal assistance will be forthcoming and greatly appreciate the critical work already being done by local response agencies and many volunteer partners to help Missourians in need.”
Based on the documented damage, Governor Kehoe is requesting FEMA Individual Assistance for the following 25 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Laclede, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Stoddard, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.
Individual Assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses.
Based on the documented damage and emergency response costs, Governor Kehoe is also requesting FEMA Public Assistance for the following 20 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Wayne.
If approved, Public Assistance would allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.
Joint damage assessments conducted by FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local officials estimate more than $26.9 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure. That total will increase with the inclusion of damage assessments conducted in the wake of the April 2 storm damage.
Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, please visit recovery.mo.gov.
A complete listing of emergency management directors at the county and municipal level is available online at sema.dps.mo.gov.
Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is a staff writer for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com
