Some previously denied counties might get disaster assistance if a Tuesday request by Gov. Mike Parson is allowed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A July 9 “individual assistance” disaster declaration had denied assistance to 21 Missouri counties. But, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) now claims local responders have begun to realize the magnitude of issues caused by flooding, which are in need of government support.
Individual assistance grants cover “temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses as a result of the flooding and storms.”
In a news release by the Governor’s Office, it’s reported SEMA initially did not have an accurate idea of the damage done to homes.
SEMA has asked FEMA to take a look into the new information provided, in order to extend relief efforts to counties such as Clark, Callaway, Cooper, Gasconade, Howard, Lewis, Saline, and St. Louis. Locally, Ste. Genevieve County would be included in new relief efforts.
Additionally, local damage teams throughout the state along with FEMA and SEMA have discovered a need for $26 million to cover infrastructure and emergency response costs from flood damage. At the same time, the state of Missouri has found $23 million in damages. Waters have caused problems with roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
FEMA has already approved individual assistance grants for more than 300 households. Survivors of the flooding have been offered $1.6 million in recovery aid.
Since March, Missouri policyholders in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program have been paid $18 million.
Updated at 3:58 p.m., July 19:
On Thursday, FEMA agreed to consider expanding the declaration.
A July 18 press release states says the federal agency will join with SEMA starting July 23 to assess and identify damaged homes. They will also be making ground surveys of locations formerly only viewed via helicopters, and they will take into account insurance and income when examining the ability of some affected counties to recover.