Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday he has taken executive action needed to enlist the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the assessment of storm and tornado damage to public infrastructure.
It will allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure.
The public damage assessments (PDAs) will be in addition to those that began Thursday for individual assistance that allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other qualifying expenses.
“These devastating storms and tornadoes not only destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, but also severely impacted roads, bridges and other critical public infrastructure,” Kehoe said. “The State Emergency Management Agency has been on the ground for several days helping local officials document damage, collect cost estimates and substantiate the need for federal public assistance. Initial damage reports clearly warrant a formal review by FEMA as part of the disaster declaration process.”
The assessments will take place in 25 Missouri counties, including Howell, Ozark, Oregon, Shannon, Butler, Carter, Iron, Reynolds, Dent, Phelps and Wright.
Counties outside the area that are included in the assessments are Benton, Bollinger, Callaway, Dunklin, Franklin, Gentry, Madison, New Madrid, Perry, Ripley, St. Louis, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne. Additional counties may be added based on reports from local emergency management officials, according to Kehoe's office.
Joint PDA teams consist of representatives from FEMA, SEMA and local emergency management officials. Beginning Tuesday six teams will verify documented damage to determine if public assistance can be requested through FEMA for local governments and non-profits.
State officials commented that cleanup and recovery efforts are ongoing across the state, and the State Emergency Operations Center is still activated. SEMA continues to coordinate with local officials, other state agencies and volunteer and faith-based partners to identify needs and assist impacted families and individuals, officials said.
Those with damage should contact their insurance company and file a claim as soon as possible. Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) meant to be "one-stop shops" for recovery resources will be scheduled in the coming days, officials said, and they suggested calling the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386 through March 28 for help with debris removal from local relief organizations and community and faith-based groups. All services are free but assistance is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need, officials cautioned.
Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 211 or the American Red Cross at 800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.
Those interested in helping are encouraged to direct donations to trusted disaster relief organizations such as those found at National Organizations Active in Disaster, online at nvoad.org.
Officials said financial contributions are the fastest and most flexible method of donating as it allows these organizations to quickly address urgent or emerging needs, and urged anyone wanting to donate supplies to first check to see what items have been identified as high need and where they should be donated.
Kehoe's executive order also grants the Missouri Department of Natural Resources the discretionary authority to temporarily waive or suspend specific environmental rules and regulations to speed up storm debris removal and recovery efforts by reducing administrative delays.
"The recent storms have left widespread damage that requires a swift and coordinated response," said Kehoe. "By signing this order, we are ensuring that local jurisdictions have the flexibility to expedite cleanup efforts while maintaining public safety and health."
The waivers apply to disposal of yard waste and major appliances in sanitary landfills, burning of woody vegetation, asbestos abatement and demolition, and discharge of wastewater.
This order will remain in effect until April 14 unless extended or otherwise modified, officials said.
