Federal assistance approved for Missouri counties after severe weather in May

(The Center Square) – Residents in 10 southern Missouri counties will be eligible for individual assistance from the federal government after severe weather and flooding happened from May 19 to 27.

Local governments and qualifying nonprofit organizations in specific counties also will be eligible for federal assistance. Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s request was made June 12 and his office announced the federal approval on Tuesday.

The federal individual assistance allows eligible residents to seek funds for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other qualifying expenses, according to Parson's office. Residents in Barry, Butler, Carter, Howell, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Texas Counties will be eligible for individual assistance.

“This is important news for the Missouri families and communities hit hard by severe weather in late May,” Parson, who’s currently on a foreign trade mission to Europe, said in a statement. “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.”

The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the federal declaration of the disaster. Individuals are encouraged to document losses, take photographs of damage and retain receipts.

Displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed can be eligible for up to 18 months of housing assistance. Housing repairs and replacement of damaged items can be paid for with federal funds.

Serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other aid programs can be covered by a disaster grant. Items covered include replacement of personal property and transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.

Crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security and veteran’s benefits are available through various federal aid programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters to cover uninsured property loses. Loans are possible for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing, or other damaged personal property. Businesses might be eligible for property loss and economic injury. More information is available at sba.gov or at 1-800-569-2955.

Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Howell, McDonald, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Texas Counties are eligible for the FEMA public assistance program under the disaster declaration. Local governments and nonprofit organizations can qualify for assistance to repair damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. The entities also can get reimbursement for the cost of providing emergency response services.

Parson’s request estimated more than $20 million in expenses were incurred by local governments and nonprofits in the region.

FEMA disaster assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Missouri also provides disaster recovery information at recovery.mo.gov .

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Programs are available in addition to its individual and public assistance. The program assists entities with cost-effective measures to reduce the possibility of future damage to public infrastructure caused by natural disasters.