Disaster Assistance Expanded In Gasconade County  

Release Date: June 4, 2003
Release Number: 1463-47

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

Springfield, MO -- After a review of disaster damages in Gasconade County, federal disaster assistance has been expanded in Gasconade County to include Public Assistance (Infrastructure), state and federal officials announced today.

The designation will help governmental entities, public utilities and certain non-profit organizations in Gasconade County pay for eligible costs resulting from damages caused by tornadoes, severe storms and flooding since May 4.

Initially, residents of Gasconade County were eligible to apply for individual assistance. Now, with the addition of Public Assistance, certain public and non-profit entities in Gasconade County will be eligible to recoup certain costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, as well as funding to help repair eligible disaster damages to public roads, bridges, buildings and utilities.

"The federal government reimburses 75 percent of certain associated costs," explained Mike Karl, federal coordinating officer for the Missouri recovery effort. "The remaining 25 percent comes from non-federal funds. So clearly, this is good news for Gasconade County as it continues to recover from the May disaster."

With the addition of Gasconade County, 31 Missouri counties are now eligible to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding from the Public Assistance Program.

Public Assistance is a based on a partnership between FEMA, the state, and local officials. After a disaster declaration, designated counties, governmental entities, public utilities, and certain non-profit and private institutions within those counties are eligible for federal assistance to respond to and recover from the disaster. Eligible private, non-profit institutions include educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care and those facilities providing essential service of a governmental nature. Volunteer fire departments, non-profit utilities, water districts, community centers, museums, zoos, and libraries may also be eligible.

To assist public jurisdictions in applying for funding, state and federal officials will conduct informational briefings for interested applicants in Gasconade County.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Jun-2003 09:27:30