Thursday, May 10, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Requests Joint Damage Assessment Teams for 17 Counties
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt is requesting joint federal and state damage assessment teams to assess 17 counties impacted by the statewide flooding. Blunt announced he is calling for the assessments after participating in a joint briefing with county and public safety officials from around the state.
"As Missourians continue to deal with severe flooding, and preparations are being made down river to hold back flood waters, I have requested damage assessment teams to begin meeting with county and local officials to collect information regarding the uninsured damages Missourians and economic losses businesses have sustained," said Blunt, who was visiting the state emergency operations center to monitor flood levels and get an up close look at state resources at work to help Missouri communities impacted by severe flooding. "The National Weather Service indicates that the Missouri River will continue to crest through May 15, and I anticipate asking for teams in other counties as needed."
Blunt is initially requesting teams to canvass 17 counties: Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Daviess, DeKalb, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Moniteau, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, and Saline.
Other joint damage assessment teams will look at damages to public property and infrastructure damages. 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 (SBA) representatives. The team will look at information collected by the local governments and will canvas areas with local officials.