Three Mid-Missouri counties - Boone, Callaway and Moniteau - were approved for federal emergency funding Thursday following severe storms and flooding in June.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Missouri's request for a major disaster declaration, providing $10 million for disaster-related expenses to a total of 21 counties across the state. Gov. Mike Parson submitted the request Aug. 13.
Local governments and eligible nonprofits in Boone, Callaway and Moniteau counties will be able to draw down the money as reimbursement for emergency response expenses and infrastructure repair costs.
"FEMA's approval of our request means millions of dollars in federal and state reimbursements will now go to hard-hit communities in 21 Missouri counties," Parson said in a news release. "We appreciate the hard work of our local emergency managers and officials to assess the damage and tally expenses to meet the initial federal reporting requirements. Their communities and taxpayers will now benefit from their efforts."
Missouri experienced severe storms and flooding from June 19 through July 1, but FEMA's approval only covers the time period between June 24 and July 1.
Parson said the State Emergency Management Agency is working with the federal government to extend the coverage to start June 19.
In July, joint preliminary damage assessment teams, made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA and local agencies, began confirming damage to public infrastructure and emergency response expenses. They produced an estimate of more than $10 million.
Other Missouri counties included in the declaration are Andrew, Audrain, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, Grundy, Holt, Howard, Lincoln, Livingston, Montgomery, Ralls, Ray and Saline.