FEMA federal aid available to Missouri flooding victims

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made federal disaster aid available to the state of Missouri to supplement the state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding during the period of June 1 to Aug. 1, 2011.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, Lafayette, and Platte counties.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home rpairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Elizabeth Turner has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Turner said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance today by registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.