President Declares Major Disaster For Missouri
Release Date: May 23, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-080
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Tornadoes
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Missouri to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes during the period of May 10-11, 2008.
FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Barry, Jasper, and Newton counties.
Paulison said that FEMA assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
All counties in the state of Missouri are eligible to apply for assistance under Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Paulison named Michael L. Karl as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Karl said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Saturday, 24-May-2008 12:00:02