Missouri Disaster Aid Expanded To Cover Flood Damage 

Release Date: May 21, 2002
Release Number: HQ-02-059

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Washington, DC -- The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal disaster aid for Missouri has been expanded to cover flooding losses under an amended major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush on May 6.

FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the action extends the declaration's eligible incident period to include damage to private and public property from the recent floods. The initial declaration covered losses from severe storms and tornadoes that struck the southeastern part of state in late April.

"The additional assistance authorized today reaffirms our commitment to standby the people of Missouri for as long as it takes to help achieve a full recovery from this period of damaging disasters," Allbaugh said.

Allbaugh said residents and business owners in the following counties who sustained flood damage are eligible to apply for federal aid under the amended declaration: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Crawford, Dent, Jefferson, Howell, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Francois, Ste. Geneieve, Stoddard and Wayne.

The assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

In addition, Allbaugh said federal funding will be available to affected local governments to pay 75 percent of the approved cost for repairing or replacing flood-damaged public facilities in the counties of Adair, Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Dade, Dallas, Howell, Johnson, Knox, Lafayette, Lawrence, Madison and Taney. He indicated that damage surveys are continuing and additional counties may be designated for assistance later based on the results of the assessments.

Allbaugh said those with flood losses in the counties designated for aid to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free registration service is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further until further notice.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Aug-2003 14:32:15