A request by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon for a major disaster declaration for areas across Missouri affected by severe weather in May was approved last week by President Barack Obama.
The declaration includes several area counties, including Newton and Jasper. Other counties under the declaration include Adair, Barton, Bollinger, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cedar, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Iron, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Madison, Maries, Marion, Miller, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Ray, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Saline, Shannon, Shelby, Stone, Sullivan, Texas, Vernon, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright.
The declaration allows local governments to seek compensation for 75 percent of their emergency response and eligible recovery activities associated with the May 8-16 severe weather.
“I appreciate the president making this declaration so that our counties, communities and affected individuals can have the help they need in recovering their costs,” Nixon said. “Local officials responded very quickly to these devastating storms, and this declaration will help speed their recovery.”
The declaration will also make funds available to individuals in certain counties for eligible, storm-related damages and expenses. These counties include Newton, Jasper, Barry and Lawrence, as well as Adair, Barton, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Laclede, Madison, Ozark, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Shannon, Texas, Washington and Webster.
On May 9, Nixon toured storm damage in Carl Junction, Charity and Fair Grove, went to Frederickton on May 12, and visited Kirksville and Novinger on May 14. During these visits, he met with emergency responders and surveyed the damage first-hand. Consequently, Nixon issued an executive order which temporarily waived statutes, administrative rules or regulations in order to serve the interests of public health and safety. Following that order, Mark Templeton, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, waived rules regarding burning of downed tree limbs and brush for counties affected by the storms.
