Missouri officials working on flood recovery efforts across the state expect a federal disaster declaration to be issued in the next few days.
During a Thursday conference call with media, state Chief Operating Officer Drew Erdmann said he is confident the state will receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency based on preliminary damage assessments.
To receive assistance from FEMA, the state must meet certain thresholds in the amount of damage sustained during a natural disaster.
"We are confident, given the scale and scope of the devastation and the outcomes of the preliminary damage assessments that were done with FEMA, that we've cleared all the thresholds," Erdmann said. "We look forward to the next coming days."
Gov. Eric Greitens requested federal assistance for 51 counties May 24 for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance.
Individual Assistance is given to residents for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of belongings and other expenses. Public Assistance is given to local governments and nonprofit agencies for reimbursement of response and recovery costs, and repair and replacement costs of public infrastructure.
Public Assistance has been requested for Cole and Miller counties, while Public and Individual Assistance has been requested for Gasconade, Morgan, Maries and Osage counties.
Ron Broxton, recovery division manager at the State Emergency Management Agency, said 1,217 individual homes in 37 counties sustained major damage or were destroyed, totaling $28 million. The agency also assessed public damage worth $58 million in 46 counties.
More than 1,400 families were supported by the recovery efforts at 15 multi-agency resource centers throughout the state. Director of Public Safety Drew Juden said pre-positioning of personnel and coordinating with local agencies was instrumental in handling the flood.
"It made a huge difference in protecting the public and getting the resources where we needed them," Juden said. "We've continued that approach as we move forward into the recovery portion of this incident."
Once the federal declaration is issued, people must register to receive assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free number, visiting FEMA's website or going to a disaster recovery center in areas impacted by the flooding.
Erdmann said recovery efforts will continue for the next several months and that state agencies will continue to coordinate with each other to assist families in need.
"This is going to be a long-term effort that will involve coordination and cooperation and collaboration across the federal, state, local level, and we're in for the long haul," Erdmann said. "We're confident that Missouri will be resilient and emerge from this stronger than ever."
Several state departments and agencies will assist with the recovery, including the Department of Economic Development.
"We're working with our numerous state and local partners to turn over every leaf and opportunity to help citizens and businesses move forward," Director Mike Downing said. "Planning and organizing our resources now will allow us to direct assistance to the right places and make the fullest recovery possible."
The recovery efforts will be overseen by coordinator Patrick Baker, chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Mike Parson.
"There is a huge opportunity and need to a take a proactive approach to recovery," Baker said. "Hopefully my work over the next several months will help to ensure those in need will receive resources available to recover and rebuild."
While the state and federal agencies will continue to assist families, Erdmann and other officials acknowledged that not all needs will be met with the additional assistance. Erdmann commended community organizations and volunteers that have helped in the recovery and urged them to continue to do so.
"There's been amazing support from faith-based organizations and volunteer organizations, and they continue to do so every day," Erdmann said. "That's an important way the citizens in Missouri are helping each other out and demonstrating the resilience that we're known for."