Disaster Number 1934

Status Update

Disaster Declaration - 08/17/2010

08/17/2010 - Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes

During June and July 2010, northern Missouri experienced severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. With many parts of the state along the Missouri River and its tributaries experiencing high water, flooded farmland and closed roads, and with the possibility that the situation would become worse, on June 15, Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center. The center helps coordinate the response of state agencies in assisting local jurisdictions with their emergency protective actions. On June 21, Gov. Nixon declared a State of Emergency in Missouri.

On June 22, the Governor authorized the use of offenders from the Department of Corrections to assist in sandbagging efforts. Thirty-seven offenders from the Western Reception and Diagnostic Correctional Center in St. Joseph were utilized by the Missouri Department of Transportation in the effort to protect Interstate 29 from rising flood waters near the Mound City exit.

On June 23, Gov. Nixon activated the Missouri National Guard to provide emergency assistance to residents of northwest Missouri communities that could be affected by continued flooding along the Missouri River. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri State Water Patrol also stepped up patrols and extended shifts in the affected areas. The State Emergency Management Agency arranged for thousands of sandbags and two sandbagging machines.

On July 20,Gov. Nixon extended the state of emergency, which was set to expire that day.

On July 27, Missouri requested a major disaster declaration, which President Barack Obama granted on Aug. 17, 2010. The 29 counties initially granted assistance in the major disaster declaration were Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clark, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lewis, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Ray, Schuyler, Scotland, Sullivan and Worth.

On Aug. 27 Knox, Linn, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, and Shelby counties were added on Sept. 24, bringing the total number of counties in Missouri affected to 37. 

The major disaster declaration provided public assistance to the affected counties for emergency work to repair or replace facilities damaged by the severe storms. Over 75 percent of the approved projects under the Public Assistance program were for the repair of roads, damaged culverts and bridges. This grant provided reimbursement to levee districts for emergency pumping costs associated with life-safety actions.

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 website.