Texas County included in federal disaster declaration

Assistance to help repair township bridges and roads in Texas County — damaged by high water — was approved Tuesday by the federal government, Gov. Mike Parson announced.

Parson had earlier asked the Biden Administration for a disaster declaration for FEMA’s public assistance program available to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, as well as emergency response costs.

Texas County was among 15 counties in Missouri approved for the aid. When the governor made the request in June, $20 million in qualifying expenses were already identified.

The federal disaster declaration also 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.

INDIVIDUAL AID ALSO APPROVED

Parson also announced that 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 Texas County and nine other counties. Some damage from a twister was reported in western Texas County.

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

Individuals who sustained damage or losses due to severe weather may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free application line at 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 persons 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.

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