By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has requested President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration for the 13 Missouri counties devastated by flooding this year.
Parson expects the request to be expanded to include additional counties once floodwaters recede and damage can be fully calculated.
“Working in strong coordination, our local, state, and federal assessment teams have documented widespread and devastating damage as a result of the flooding. It has now been well over a month after the flooding began, and some areas still can’t be accessed,” Gov. Parson said in a written statement released by his office. “I am confident federal assistance will be forthcoming, and I greatly appreciate all the work that’s already being done by our faith-based and volunteer responders to help communities recover. Our state team and all our partners are committed to ensuring Missouri families, businesses, and communities rebuild.”
Flooding from a swollen Missouri River hit northwest Missouri March 11th.
Parson said the joint Preliminary Damage Assessments, conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and local officials, has given a preliminary estimate of $25 million in damage to infrastructure and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance.
If approved, a federal emergency declaration would provide federal money of offset recovery costs borne by local governments and nonprofit agencies. Money would allow qualifying agencies to apply for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.
Most of the counties are along the Missouri River with some along the Mississippi River. Those counties are Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Holt, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Platte, Ray, and Ste. Genevieve.
Individual Assistance is being request for five northwest Missouri counties, so eligible residents can seek federal assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses as a result of the flooding. Those counties are Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, and Platte.
Gov. Parson also is requesting that the U.S. Small Business Administration provide businesses, homeowners, and renters in these counties with low-interest loans. Those affected by the flooding are encouraged to continue documenting losses by photographing damage and retaining all receipts.
Parson declared a state of emergency March 21st as flooding worsened.
Parson signed an executive order March 29th, giving the Department of Natural Resources discretionary authority to temporarily waive or suspend rules or regulations in support of flooding response and recovery.