Trump approves disaster requests for spring storms

Gov. Mike Kehoe recently announced President Donald J. Trump approved two of Missouri's requests for a major disaster declaration in response to the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that impacted the state from March 14 to 15 and March 30 to April 8.

An additional request for April 29 storms is still under review, and the process to request a major disaster declaration for May 16 storms is still underway. 

Individual Assistance

The declaration makes Individual Assistance available to residents in 18 counties impacted by the March 14 and 15 storms, including Howell, Oregon, Ozark and Wright.

Individual Assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, and replacement of damaged belongings and vehicles. 

Anyone who sustained damage or losses due severe weather in the March timeframe may apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free application line at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. They can also download the FEMA app to apply. Affected individuals are encouraged to document losses, photograph damage and retain receipts. Early registration is encouraged.

The deadline for most Individual Assistance programs is 60 days following a declaration. Disaster assistance generally falls into the following categories: 

• Housing assistance may be available for up to 18 months for those whose homes were heavily damaged or destroyed. Funding is available for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.
• Disaster grants are available to help meet other serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property and transportation and medical, dental and funeral expenses.
• Low-Interest Disaster Loans are available for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be available for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing or other damaged personal property. SBA loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury. Businesses can visit sba.gov or call 800-569-2955.
• Other disaster aid programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security and veterans’ benefits.

Public Assistance

The declaration also makes the FEMA Public Assistance program available to local governments and qualifying nonprofits to repair damaged public infrastructure, as well as for reimbursement of emergency response costs.

For the March storms, public assistance is available in 20 counties, including Howell, Oregon, Ozark and Shannon.

The governor’s April 2 request for the March storms included more than $26.9 million in qualifying expenses already identified.

For the storms that occurred from March 30 through April 8, public assistance is available in 25 counties, including Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon and Texas.

Kehoe’s April 30 request for those storms included more than $25.5 million in qualifying expenses already identified.