Friday, October 20, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
FEMA Denies Disaster Request; Blunt to Appeal Decision
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt was notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied his disaster request for the 12 counties impacted by the September 22-23 high winds, hail, tornadoes and flooding.
"Obviously I am disappointed by FEMA's decision. A large number of Missourians were significantly impacted by the storm. Affordable housing and long-term recovery are a major concern as winter approaches," Blunt said. "We are reviewing the denial and gathering additional information to present to FEMA on appeal."
Missouri requested Disaster Assistance for Butler, Crawford, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley and St Francois Counties.
Blunt's original request noted over 600 homes, and over 75 businesses in 12 counties sustained damages from the September 22-23 storms. He also noted the Governor's Disaster Recovery Partnership comprised of volunteer and faith-based disaster response organizations were working on affordable housing options for displaced citizens and long-term recovery issues in several of the hardest hit communities.
Federal Disaster declarations were approved for the March storms, the April storms in Southeast Missouri, and the power outages in St. Louis and eastern Missouri. Missouri will have until November 18 to appeal FEMA's decision.
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