More Missouri Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance
Release Date: May 24, 2002
Release Number: 1412-18
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Poplar Bluff, MO -- Disaster assistance has been made available in more Missouri counties to help residents and local governments recover from the effects of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning April 24 and continuing, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.
Twenty-four more Missouri counties have been added to the Presidential disaster declaration for Individual Assistance from FEMA. Residents in Camden, Cedar, Christian, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, Polk, Scott, Stone, Vernon and Wright are now eligible to apply for grants to help pay for temporary lodging needs, minor home repairs, and other serious disaster-related expenses.
Barry, Barton, Dade, Dallas, Lawrence, Taney and Webster counties, which had been declared for Public Assistance, are now also designated for Individual Assistance. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully covered by insurance.
Also effective today, FEMA's Public Assistance program has been extended to include Carroll, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Cooper, Grundy, Howard, Lewis, Linn, Mercer, Polk, Scotand, Schuyler, and Sullivan. The counties of Dent, Iron, Ripley, Texas and Wayne that had been declared for Individual Assistance now will receive Public Assistance, too.
Governmental entities and certain private non-profit organizations in Public Assistance counties are now eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. Procedures for requesting Public Assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings at locations to be announced shortly by state and federal disaster officials.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the counties were added to the list of eligible jurisdictions at the request of Governor Holden after a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials.
"We remain committed to ensuring that every qualified family and business receives the help they need and that vital community facilities are restored to full service as quickly as possible," Allbaugh said.
Allbaugh said that stricken residents and business owners in 66 Missouri counties are now eligible to apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs under the major disaster declaration issued by President Bush on May 6.
The way for individuals to apply for federal/state assistance is by calling the toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until further notice. Those with a speech or hearing impairment may call a special TTY number at 1-800-462-7585. During the Memorial Day weekend observance, the FEMA toll-free registration number will be closed Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Aug-2003 14:23:58