More Missouri Counties Added For FEMA Aid To Individuals 

Release Date: April 1, 2008
Release Number: 1749-007

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Flooding

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Preliminary damage assessments have been completed and 16 more counties have been added to the 19 counties already approved in Missouri for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance.

Today (April 1), Butler, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Gasconade, Howard, Laclede, Madison, McDonald, Osage, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Louis, Stoddard, Taney, and Webster counties were added to the March 19 Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for severe storms and flooding in the state. This means that residents and business owners in these counties may register immediately for help from FEMA.

If you suffered damage to your home or were otherwise affected by the recent flooding and live in a declared county, call 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or register online at www.fema.gov. Telephone lines are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time.

The 16 new counties bring to 35 the total number of counties approved for Individual Assistance. On March 27, FEMA approved aid in the following counties: Bollinger, Carter, Christian, Franklin, Greene, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Maries, Newton, Oregon, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, St. Francois, Stone, Texas, Washington and Wayne. Already, 814 households have registered for assistance and $1.3 million has been approved in aid to individuals.

Assistance to individuals could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also may be available to assist homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes recover from losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Even if you have registered with other agencies and organizations for help, you must register with FEMA to have access to FEMA and state disaster programs. Callers should be prepared to provide the name and number as shown on their Social Security cards, complete contact information, address of the damaged property, and insurance information. Assistance is for damage to primary residences only. Renters may apply for aid for personal property and landlords may apply for SBA loans to repair rental properties.

"We appreciate the FEMA response to the state's requests for aid to these additional counties," said State Emergency Management Agency Director Ronald Reynolds. "The residents of our affected counties will really appreciate this help."

"FEMA is focused on quick response and living up to our promises," said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Parker. "We're happy to be able to play a role in the recovery."

FEMA coordinates the federal government's 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: Wednesday, 02-Apr-2008 12:26:40