Disaster Number 4317

Disaster Update – 6/2/17
The federal government approved Gov. Eric Greitens’ request for a major disaster declaration for a total of 48 Missouri counties in response to historic flooding that began April 28 and led to the destruction or major damage of more than 1,200 homes and at least $58 million in damage to roads, bridges, other public infrastructure and emergency response costs. The Governor’s May 24 disaster request estimated total losses and expenses of over $86 million.

The President’s declaration made the Individual Assistance program available to eligible residents in 27 Missouri counties who can now seek federal assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, and the replacement of household items. The counties eligible under the Individual Assistance program are: Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Louis, Stone, Taney, and Texas.

The declaration also made the Public Assistance program available to local governments and nonprofit agencies in 46 counties for the repair of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, along with emergency response costs. The counties included in the Public Assistance program are: Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Pulaski, Ralls, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Louis, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

Disaster Update – 5/24/17
Based on joint Preliminary Damage Assessments conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and local officials, Gov. Greitens requested Individual Assistance for 37 Missouri counties, which would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other qualifying expenses as a result of the flooding. The Governor also requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration assist businesses, homeowners, and renters in the 37 counties with low-interest loans.

The counties for which Individual Assistance was requested were: Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Christian, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Wayne, and Wright.

Gov. Greitens also requested Public Assistance for 46 Missouri counties to allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.

The counties for which Public Assistance was requested were: Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, Miller, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Pulaski, Ralls, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

Disaster
On April 28, 2017, in anticipation of forecasted severe storms that could produce widespread flooding and flash flooding, Governor Greitens signed Executive order 17-12 declaring a state of emergency in Missouri. The order activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), which enables the state to mobilize its resources, including SEMA to assist local authorities.

Acting on the executive order SEMA, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation, fire mutual aid resources, Missouri National Guard and Missouri’s Task Force 1 deployed land, water and air assets across the state to be in position to save lives and to protect property.

During the weekend of April 29-30, a strong storm system brought multiple rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rain to the southern two-thirds of Missouri. Rainfall totals surpassed nine inches in some locations causing flash flooding and historic flooding along some of the tributaries of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. A few thunderstorms also became severe during the afternoon of April 29, with two weak tornadoes documented.

By the evening of April 29, flash flooding and flooding had already led to 93 evacuations and 33 rescues conducted by local and state responders.