Ten More Missouri Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: May 30, 2003
Release Number: 1463-39

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

Springfield, MO -- Disaster assistance has been made available for ten more Missouri counties to help local governments recover from the effects of the tornadoes, severe storms and flooding that began on May 4, state and federal disaster recovery officials announced today.

Mike Karl, federal coordinating officer for the Missouri disaster recovery effort, said the counties were added to the list of eligible jurisdictions based on a review of damage data gathered by state and federal disaster recovery officials.

The 10 additional counties now eligible for Public Assistance (Infrastructure) are: Bollinger, Crawford, Franklin, Knox, Maries, Miller, Oregon, Osage, Pulaski, and Washington.

"We're committed to helping these communities restore vital facilities as quickly as possible," said Karl.

Jerry Uhlmann, state coordinating officer for disaster recovery, said: "We're very pleased FEMA has responded to the needs of these additional Missouri counties so they can continue the recovery process with the financial help they need."

Affected residents in Bollinger, Franklin, Knox, Miller, Osage, Pulaski and Washington counties were originally eligible to apply for individual disaster assistance. Now these counties, as well as certain non-profit and private institutions within them, are eligible for Public Assistance (Infrastructure).

Public Assistance is based on a partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state, and local officials. After a disaster declaration, declared counties 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 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. State and federal officials are conducting informational briefings to help interested public jurisdictions apply for funding.

Last Modified: Monday, 02-Jun-2003 10:10:36