President Barack Obama on Thursday declared an emergency in the State of Missouri and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local flood fights. The president’s action authorizes federal agencies to help coordinate relief efforts and provide assistance for emergency measures.

The declaration includes the following counties: Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Franklin, Gasconade, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lewis, Moniteau, Montgomery, Osage, Platte, Ray, Saline, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Warren and the Independent City of St. Louis.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Elizabeth Turner as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.