The U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District Emanuel Cleaver, along with six other U.S. Representatives, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve Governor Mike Parson’s recent request for a Major Disaster Declaration on Tuesday, August 24 – following severe storms and flooding throughout the state of Missouri, including several counties in the KMMO listening area in late June.

Officials say in a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, the lawmakers wrote, “Damage assessments have brought to light the severity and magnitude of this storm system’s impact on individuals and public infrastructure. Tragically, there have been two confirmed deaths as a result of these storms and associated flooding. Joint PDAs have estimated just over $10 million in damage to public infrastructure and emergency response costs, with nearly $7.3 million in damage to roads and bridges alone.”

The lawmakers continued, “We request FEMA’s due consideration to Governor Parson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration, and hope that FEMA will continue to work closely with state officials as this process moves forward.”