Federal government approves major disaster declaration in response to severe weather

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson announced on Monday, July 22 the federal government has approved his request for a major disaster declaration in response to multiple severe weather systems that generated tornadoes, high winds, and flooding across southern Missouri from May 19-27. The declaration makes federal Individual Assistance available to eligible residents in Barry, Butler, Carter, Howell, NewMadrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Texas counties. 

Individual Assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses. 

“This is important news for the Missouri families and communities hit hard by severe weather in late May,” Parson said. “The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will be working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to move the federal assistance process forward, which will provide millions of dollars in much needed recovery support for individuals, families, and local jurisdictions.”

Individuals who sustained damage or losses due to severe weather between May 19 and 27 may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free application line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Affected individuals are encouraged to document losses, photograph damage, and retain receipts. The faster Missourians register with FEMA, the faster they may be able to receive assistance.

The deadline for most Individual Assistance programs is 60 days following the President’s major disaster declaration. Disaster assistance to eligible individuals generally falls into the following categories:

— Housing Assistance may be available for up to 18 months for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed. Funding also can be provided for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.

— Disaster Grants are available to help meet other serious disaster related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, and transportation, medical, dental, and funeral expenses.

— Low-Interest Disaster Loans are available after a disaster for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be available for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing, or other damaged personal property. SBA loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury. Businesses can visit sba.gov or call 1-800-569-2955.

— Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security, and veterans’ benefits.

The disaster declaration also makes the FEMA Public Assistance program available to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure as well as reimbursement of emergency response costs in the following counties: Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Howell, McDonald, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Texas. The Governor’s June 12 request included more than $20 million in qualifying expenses already identified. 

In addition to Public and Individual Assistance, the disaster declaration makes FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program available statewide to assist with cost-effective measures to reduce the potential for future damage to public infrastructure as a result of natural disasters. 

For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, please visit recovery.mo.gov.