Second chance at FEMA assistance for Callaway after snub

The flood damage to County Road 4038 is pictured. This road is a part of North Jefferson City in Callaway County, which is one of the most afflicted areas by the flooding.
The flood damage to County Road 4038 is pictured. This road is a part of North Jefferson City in Callaway County, which is one of the most afflicted areas by the flooding.

Help may be on the horizon for those afflicted by flood damage in Callaway County.

Despite not making the cut for FEMA individual assistance, Callaway may still be added to the list of 20 Missouri counties approved by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, said Michelle Kidwell, director of emergency management in Callaway County.

"FEMA is coming to do the assessment, and (Callaway) could possibly be an add-on county," Kidwell said.

She explained Callaway County was likely not included because FEMA was never able to assess the flood damages in the county. Much of the affected area was still underwater during the assessment period.

"A lot of people were upset and they couldn't understand why Callaway wasn't included," Kidwell said.

Individual assistance is provided by FEMA to eligible individuals and families who have sustained losses due to disasters. Public assistance can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of a public facility or infrastructure damaged or destroyed by a disaster.

Throughout this limbo period, south Callaway businesses have continued to struggle as they wait on an answer. Turkey Creek Golf Course owner Danny Baumgartner said he's begun laying off employees.

"We thought we'd have an answer by now," said Baumgartner, who was surprised Callaway County did not make the list.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe's office was not able to provide a comment on the situation.

While Callaway County has reached the threshold in damages for public assistance, Kidwell said, nothing can be done until a declaration for public assistance is made or until the individual assistance assessment can be done by FEMA.

Kidwell did not have a time frame in mind as to how long the process will take. Despite this, many Callaway County residents have hopeful sentiments that help will be on the way.

"We fully anticipate that we will make the list," said Roger Fischer, western district commissioner of Callaway County.

"Even though everyone in this area was kind of shocked by not making the list, I've still got hope that something will come out of it," Baumgartner said.