10 counties to get federal help with flooding

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Ten Missouri counties that have been battling flooding will get some federal help.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to help reimburse local and county governments for their flood response efforts. The counties are Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Cooper, Holt, Lafayette, Platte, Ray and Saline, all located along the Missouri River.

President Barack Obama previously issued a major disaster declaration allowing federal help for families, businesses and public agencies with flood-related losses in six of those counties - Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, Lafayette, and Platte.

Holt County Clerk Kathy Kunkel says her county, along with its cities and levee districts, have spent more than $2.5 million fighting floods. Water inundated more than 230 square miles in Holt County alone.