Disaster Number 1749

03/19/2008 - Severe Storms and Flooding

In March 2008, central and southern portions of Missouri experienced a severe storm system that generated record rainfall, flooding and flash flooding across the affected area. Five deaths were reported as a direct result of this storm.

On March 18, Gov. Matt Blunt activated the State Emergency Operation Plan and declared a state of emergency in Missouri.

On March 19, Gov. Blunt requested that President George Bush declare a major disaster in Missouri and provide Individual and Public Assistance to the affected counties. President Bush granted that declaration on the same day, providing Individual and Public Assistance to the declared counties. The President also granted Small Business Administration disaster loans for qualifying businesses and homeowners. Counties included in that disaster declaration were Audrain, Barry, Barton, Boone, Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Mississippi, Montgomery, Moniteau, Morgan, New Madrid, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St Charles, St Claire, St Francois, St Louis, Ste Genevieve, Shannon, Scott, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright and City of St Louis.

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.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program provides disaster assistance for individuals and households affected by declared disasters. This includes the cost of repairs and replacements not covered by insurance on homes and vehicles affected by the disaster, temporary housing for those left without a home, disaster related medical and dental care, disaster related funeral and burial costs, moving and storage costs, crisis counseling and any other expenses determined necessary by FEMA.

More information on this disaster is available on FEMA's website.