Monday, April 3, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Seeks Additional Federal Assistance for Latest Storms
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt is seeking another Major Disaster Declaration for both individual and public assistance as a result of the recent severe weather striking Missouri beginning on March 29.
"My hope is that President Bush will once again realize the devastating impact of these storms on Missourians and their communities, and quickly make Federal funds available to assist in their recovery efforts," Blunt said. "I appreciate the Federal government's immediate and efficient response to my March 14 request and will help however possible to expedite their response in this situation as well."
Three deaths have been attributed to this round of severe weather, as well as numerous individuals with storm related injuries.
If approved, Blunt's request would make Federal funds available in Andrew, Dunklin, Marion, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Pettis, Ralls, St. Louis, St. Charles and Stoddard Counties. Individual assistance would provide disaster grants or low-interest loans to families, individuals and businesses to help recover uninsured personal property and business losses, and public assistance would help local county governments repair or replace storm damaged public property.
Blunt's request for the federal declarations was submitted today to President Bush through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VII Office in Kansas City.
Executive Order 06-16 signed today, extends the state's emergency declaration to include storms that began on March 29.
Blunt also expanded his March 14 request for Federal assistance to include damage resulting from storms that began March 8, impacting Mississippi, New Madrid and Scott counties. He also signed Executive Order 06-17 to extend the state's emergency declaration to include the earlier March storms.
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