Disaster Number 1961

Disaster Update – 05/03/11

The federal government today granted Gov. Nixon’s request to extend Missouri’s federal major disaster declaration to Buchanan and Pike counties for the severe winter storm and blizzard that began on Jan. 31. Because FEMA has now granted the Governor's request, Buchanan and Pike and local government agencies in these counties are eligible to seek federal funding for disaster-related emergency response, snow removal and recovery expenses. With the addition of these counties, the federal government will reimburse the state and local governments in a total of 62 counties for 75 percent of their eligible emergency response expenses associated with the severe winter storm.

Disaster Update – 04/12/11

The federal government today granted Gov. Nixon’s request to extend Missouri’s federal major disaster declaration to Camden County for the severe winter storm and blizzard that began on Jan. 31. Because FEMA has granted the Governor’s request, Camden County and local government agencies in the county are eligible to seek federal funding for disaster-related emergency response, snow removal and recovery expenses.

Disaster Update - 03/23/11

Immediately following the disaster declaration by the President, Gov. Nixon asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider the state's request that Camden and Pike be included in the list of eligible counties.

03/23/2011 - Severe Winter Storm and Snow Storm

In January 2011, Missouri was impacted by a severe winter storm system that produced ice, heavy snowfall and blizzard and white-out conditions in much of the state. Due to the storm, which deposited up to 23 inches of snow in the state, Gov. Nixon closed I-70 between St. Louis and Kansas City, and I-44 from Springfield to Oklahoma. The storm saddled local and state governments with eligible costs estimated at more than $14 million for removal of the record or near-record snowfall in many areas of the state.

On Jan. 31, Gov. Jay Nixon ordered activation of the State Emergency Operations Plan in preparation of the storm. On the same day, Gov. Nixon also declared a State of Emergency for the entire state of Missouri and activated over 600 members of the Missouri National Guard to position around the state for assistance.

On Feb. 2, Gov. Nixon requested that a state of emergency be declared in Missouri by President Barack Obama.

On Feb. 4, because many county and local roads were still impassable, Gov. Nixon ordered the Missouri Department of Transportation to assist with clearing snow from county and local roadways.

On March 1, Gov. Nixon requested that a major disaster declaration be declared by President Obama, requesting Public Assistance for the affected areas. On March 23, a disaster declaration was granted by President Obama for Public Assistance to the 59 counties of Adair, Andrew, Audrain, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Chariton, Clark, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Dallas, DeKalb, Grundy, Henry, Hickory, Howard, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Pettis, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, St. Clair, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Sullivan, Vernon and Worth.

Immediately following the disaster declaration by the President, Gov. Nixon asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider the state's request that Camden and Pike be included in the list of eligible counties.

The declaration will allow eligible counties, local governments and the state to seek millions of dollars in federal funds for disaster-related emergency response, snow removal and recovery expenses. The federal government will reimburse the state and local governments for 75 percent of their eligible emergency response expenses associated with the severe winter storm.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides federal funds to reimburse 75 percent of the costs for removing debris, conducting emergency activities and repairing roads, bridges, utility and water control facilities, public buildings and parks.

More information on this disaster is available on FEMA's Web site.