Governor Mike Parson requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 21 counties in response to severe storms and flooding that began in late June and continued into July, on Friday, August 13.
Governor Parson says, “Due to extremely heavy rains and significant flash flooding in late June, Missouri experienced nearly $7.3 million in damage to roads and bridges alone. The joint preliminary assessment teams confirmed that a number of counties endured considerable destruction and response costs, exceeding the state threshold to qualify for federal assistance.”
According to a statement, Governor Parson is requesting Public Assistance for 21 Missouri counties. Counties effected in the KMMO listening area include Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard and Saline counties. Other counties impacted includes Andrew, Audrain, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Clinton, Daviess, Grundy, Holt, Lincoln, Livingston, Moniteau, Montgomery, Ralls and Ray.
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.
The joint preliminary damage assessments, conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), FEMA, and local officials began on July 8, and estimated a total of $10 million in damage to public infrastructure and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance. Missouri’s per-capita threshold for public assistance is nearly $9.3 million, which is determined by FEMA and based on 2010 census data.
On July 6, Governor Parson announced Missouri’s request for joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in 17 counties. Audrain, Daviess, Grundy, and Ralls counties were later added to the request after more damage was documented locally. Both state and county thresholds must be met in order for a county to be included in the request for Public Assistance.