Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Expands Damage Assessment Request to 16 Additional Counties Hit by Flood
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today requested joint federal and state damage assessment teams to survey more Missouri counties impacted by the statewide flooding.
“After surveying the damage and reviewing damage information given to SEMA, I have asked for damage assessments to be conducted in 16 additional counties as Missourians begin the cleanup and recovery process from recent flooding,” Blunt said.
Blunt has asked the teams to expand their assessments to include the damage in Bates, Boone, Caldwell, Callaway, Chariton, Clinton, Cole, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Morgan, Osage, and Worth Counties. The information the teams collect will be analyzed to give an accurate picture of the statewide flooding damages. These damage assessments could not start until water levels fell sufficiently to allow access to the affected areas.
On May 10, the governor requested the teams survey 17 counties. Those initial counties were: Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Daviess, DeKalb, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Moniteau, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, and Saline.
The joint damage assessment teams are made up of local officials, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and Small Business Administration representatives. The team will look at information collected by the local governments and will canvas areas with local officials.