Governor Mike Parson has requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 13 counties in response to devastating flooding that began March 11. The Governor said he expects the request to be expanded to include additional counties once floodwaters recede and full damage assessments can be conducted.
Governor Parson said the joint Preliminary Damage Assessments, conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and local officials, had already estimated $25 million in damage to infrastructure and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance.
Governor Parson is requesting Public Assistance for 13 Missouri counties, so local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies may seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. Those counties include Carroll, Chariton and Ray in the KMMO listening area.
On March 21, Governor Parson declared a state of emergency in response to worsening conditions along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers as a result of excessive rainfall, releases from upstream reservoirs and snow melt. On March 29, the Governor signed an executive order giving the Department of Natural Resources discretionary authority to temporarily waive or suspend rules or regulations in support of flooding response and recovery.
On April 3, Governor Parson, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to identify regional solutions for recovery and levee repairs along the Missouri River. On Friday, the Governor will again meet with the Iowa and Nebraska Governors for a follow-up meeting with the Corps.