Disaster Number 4250

Disaster Update – 3/17/16
On March 17, FEMA approved four more Missouri counties to receive disaster assistance under the expanded federal major disaster declaration announced on Feb. 10. Local governments and nonprofit agencies in Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Shannon counties became eligible to seek federal assistance in response and recovery expenses associated with the flooding and severe weather, including damage to public infrastructure.

The announcement means 41 counties and the City of St. Louis are now covered under the expanded Public Assistance declaration.

Disaster Update – 2/10/16
On Feb. 10, FEMA approved Gov. Nixon’s request to expand the federal major disaster declaration for Missouri to include public assistance for local governments and nonprofit agencies in 37 counties and the City of St. Louis for the cost of responding to and recovering from the historic flooding that affected the state from Dec. 23 to Jan. 9.

The approved expansion means local governments and nonprofits in the 37 Missouri counties and City of St. Louis will receive federal assistance with emergency response costs and repairs to roads, bridges and infrastructure damaged during the historic flooding.

Disaster Update – 1/25/16
On Jan. 25, Gov. Nixon requested an expansion of the federal major disaster declaration to include assistance for public agencies and nonprofits in 39 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis for the cost of responding to and recovering from the historic flooding that affected the state from late December to early January. The request for federal public assistance includes the following counties: Barry, Bollinger, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cedar, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, McDonald, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, St. Charles, St. Clair, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Scott, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Webster and the City of St. Louis.

Public assistance allows local and state government, as well as eligible nonprofit agencies, to seek reimbursement for response and recovery expenses associated with severe weather and flooding. Damage assessment teams identified an estimated $41 million in costs for infrastructure damages and costs of responding to the disaster.

Disaster Update – 1/21/16
On Jan. 21, President Barack Obama granted Gov. Jay Nixon’s request for a major disaster declaration for Missouri as a result of the two strong storm systems in late December and early January that brought severe weather and historic flooding to much of the state. The storms led to 16 confirmed deaths and destroyed or significantly damaged nearly 1,000 homes. The Governor made the request on Jan. 15.

The declaration makes the individual assistance program available to eligible residents in 33 Missouri counties who can now seek federal assistance, such as help with temporary housing and repairs, and to replace household items damaged or lost as a result of flooding. Those affected by the flooding are encouraged to document losses, including photographing damage and retaining receipts.

The 33 Missouri counties eligible under the individual assistance program are Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

Disaster Update – 1/02/16
On Jan. 2, Gov. Nixon requested a federal emergency declaration for direct federal assistance with the removal of debris left in the wake of the historic flooding. President Barack Obama approved the request the same day. The Missouri National Guard will manage the debris removal program and coordinate with the federal and local governments. At the federal level, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will facilitate the collection and disposal of debris left behind by flood water and household debris, such as demolition materials, carpeting, furniture and appliances.

Disaster Update – 12/29/15
On Dec. 29, Gov. Nixon activated the Missouri National Guard to protect local communities and support emergency response personnel. The Guard’s responsibilities included directing traffic away from road closures, providing security around breached levees and evacuated areas and conducting health and wellness checks of residents in affected areas. At that time, flooding had already led to the evacuation of West Alton and caused hundreds of road closures across Missouri, including in the St. Louis region and all lanes of I-44 at Jerome near Rolla.

Disaster
Beginning on Dec. 22 and continuing for most of the next week, a series of severe storms dumped record levels of rain over much of the state. With the ground already saturated from previous rains and flooding, streams and rivers quickly swelled, causing widespread flash flooding and flooding which forced numerous roads to be closed, dozens of water rescues to be conducted, increasing numbers of home evacuations and at least eight fatalities.

On Dec. 27, Gov. Nixon declared a state of emergency in response to the flooding and forecasts calling for more rain and predictions some rivers would exceed historic crests. The order activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), which enables the state to mobilize its resources, including the State Emergency Management Agency, to assist local authorities.