Local governments and nonprofits in several Missouri counties, including Cole and Miller, that were affected by recent storms and flooding can now request assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA approved Missouri's July 16 request to provide public assistance to local governments and nonprofits in 68 counties recovering from flooding and severe storms that occurred between April 29 and July 5. This means FEMA will help with the cost to repair damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, as well as with emergency response costs associated with the storms and flooding, according to a Monday news release from Gov. Mike Parson's office.
Counties that can apply for FEMA public assistance are Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Barton, Bates, Bollinger, Buchanan, Caldwell, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Clark, Cole, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, Douglas, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howell, Jackson, Jasper, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Newton, Nodaway, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Ste. Genevieve, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, Stoddard, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, Webster and Wright.
"This is important news for local governments in these 68 Missouri counties because it means they'll be receiving very substantial assistance in recovering from high disaster repair and response costs," Parson said in the news release. "I'm proud of the way Missourians are pulling together to recover from flooding and severe storms. This federal assistance will greatly assist in those efforts and speed the pace of recovery."
Parson anticipates requesting FEMA expand public assistance to include additional counties.
Assistance through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Program is also available. The program helps prevent or reduce long-term risks to property and lives because of natural hazards, according to the news release.
FEMA is still reviewing Missouri's request to expand individual assistance to those in 25 counties: Adair, Barton, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Christian, Clark, Cooper, Dallas, Douglas, Gasconade, Grundy, Harrison, Hickory, Howard, Jefferson, Laclede, Lewis, Macon, Marion, McDonald, Newton, Polk, Saline, St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve.
Through July 29, FEMA approved more than 910 households for individual assistance grants and provided more than $4.2 million to those recovering from flooding, storms and tornadoes, according to the news release.
The U.S. Small Business Administration approved more than $1.7 million in low-interest loans to impacted businesses, renters, homeowners and nonprofits in Missouri, the news release adds.
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program provided more than $22 million to Missouri policyholders for flood claims that were filed since March, according to the news release. More than 1,500 claims have been filed, it adds.
People can register with FEMA by calling 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. any day or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
The FEMA disaster recovery center in Jefferson City is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily at the Cole County/Jefferson City Office of Emergency Management, 1736 Southridge Drive.
The SBA business recovery center is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 917 Leslie Blvd. in Jefferson City.