Missouri governor requests approval of disaster declaration following deadly tornadoes
Preliminary damage assessments are estimated to be more than $27 million in Missouri
(Missouri Gov. Mike Parson)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Mike Parson has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to approve a major disaster declaration in seven counties in response to severe weather and deadly tornadoes that swept across the mid-South earlier this month.
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"Our local, state and federal assessment teams have documented extensive damage to electric power systems and other public infrastructure as a result of the severe storms," Parson said in a statement. "Federal disaster assistance will be necessary to complete the permanent repair work and alleviate the burden of the costly damage experienced in these hard-hit communities."
The counties Parson is seeking disaster declaration approval include Bollinger, Dunklin, Iron, Madison, Pemiscot, Reynolds and Wayne. If FEMA approves the request, local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies may be able to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repairs and replacements for damaged buildings, bridges, roads and other public infrastructure.
According to Parson's office, the preliminary damage assessments are estimated to be more than $27 million.