MEDIA CONTACT:
STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY 5.10.11    

Clay Thanks President Obama for
Expedited Disaster Declaration in Missouri

  Urges Individuals and Businesses Affected by Tornadoes & Flooding to Register

with FEMA for Direct Federal Assistance

  -WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri thanked President Barack Obama today for his expedited major disaster declaration for the State of Missouri after multiple counties suffered extensive tornado damage and flooding.  In Missouri’s First Congressional District, the Good Friday tornado caused major damage throughout North St. Louis County and at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

“I want to thank President Obama for granting an expedited review of Governor Nixon’s application for a major disaster declaration for the State of Missouri,” said the Congressman. “This decision opens the pipeline for direct federal assistance to help individuals, businesses and municipalities get back on their feet after the Good Friday tornado.  For homeowners, renters and small business owners, this is a lifeline that will speed their recovery.  I am also very pleased that Lambert-St. Louis International Airport will receive federal help to repair tornado damage.  It is essential for all those seeking direct federal assistance to register with FEMA as soon as possible. 

You can do that by visiting my official website at www.lacyclay.house.gov or by going to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.”

Summary of FEMA Major Disaster Declaration for Missouri

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis, and Taney. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, property losses, and other programs to help households recover. 
 

Additionally, The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been authorized to provide low cost disaster loans to businesses and individuals to cover losses that are not fully compensated by insurance or other sources, and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
 

 Disaster survivors must register in order to be considered for assistance, by going to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Operators speak many languages. Those with hearing or speech impairment can use TTY 800-462-7585.
     

Also, you can apply for federal assistance directly through web-enabled mobile phone devices or smartphones. Registration through the mobile site takes three steps:
1.      Go to m.fema.gov and click “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.” You will be directed to www.DisasterAssistance.gov;
2.      Click on Start Registration; and
3.      Fill out the registration form.
 

FEMA will ask for the following information:
•       The telephone number where you can be reached;
•       The address where you lived at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying;
•       Your Social Security number;
•       A general description of damage to your property and other losses;
•       The name of your insurance company and your policy number or agent if you have property insurance; and
•       Your bank account routing information if you want FEMA to use direct deposit.
 

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in St. Louis County. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.