Missouri Gov. Seeks Federal Assistance for Counties Impacted by May Storms

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden has requested a Federal Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for counties impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes from May 18 through Memorial Day weekend.

“We are requesting federal assistance to help private citizens and businesses recover from the May severe weather, tornadoes, and flash flooding. Numerous residences and business sustained uninsured damages throughout the impacted counties. This request will help citizens begin the recovery process as quickly as possible,” Holden said.

The joint Federal-State-Local damages assessments requested by Holden were completed on Friday and Saturday (June 5-6). As a result of the assessments, Holden forwarded a request seeking federal assistance for the following jointly assessed counties: Cass, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Linn, Livingston, Macon and St. Clair.

Upon approval of a Federal Disaster Declaration, victims in 27 contiguous counties will also be eligible. Additional counties may be added based on identified disaster related needs. Disaster victims in the undeclared counties would be eligible for assistance once they are added to the declaration.

Holden thanked the assessment teams for their work over the weekend and quick turn-around-time. Each of the six damage assessment teams had representatives from FEMA, SEMA, Small Business Administration and local government.

Approval of the Governor’s request for Individual Assistance would provide access to temporary housing assistance, and low-interest SBA loans for families, individuals and businesses that suffered damages. Some individuals or families might qualify for disaster grants for essential needs. The federal assistance is designed to help citizens begin to recover uninsured losses for personal property and businesses to recover uninsured business related losses.

Holden’s request for the federal declaration was submitted to President Bush through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VII Office in Kansas City.