FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 24, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290


Blunt Announces 27 Additional Counties Declared Federal Disaster Areas

JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt announced that President Bush has approved 27 Missouri Counties to be added to the federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance.

“Missouri families are still recovering from the loss of life, property and treasured possessions caused by the outbreak of severe weather.” Blunt said. “I am pleased that President Bush has expanded the availability of federal assistance to more Missourians as they continue to put their lives back together.”

The counties that are approved are: Bates, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cooper, Greene, Henry, Howard, Iron, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Montgomery, Mississippi, Morgan, New Madrid, Newton, Phelps, Putnam, Scott, St. Clair, Taney, Vernon, Webster and Wright.

Citizens and businesses in the declared counties are urged to call FEMA at (800) 621-3362, which is staffed between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

The Individual Assistance declaration helps renters, homeowners and businesses apply for federal assistance to recover from the recent severe storms that swept across Missouri. Assistance comes in the form of low-interest loans, or provides disaster grants to families and individuals with uninsured or underinsured losses for personal property.


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