Missouri Gov. Nixon's Request For Major Disaster Declaration For Counties Hit By Ice Storms Granted By President Obama

February 17, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A request by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon for a major disaster declaration for parts of southern Missouri hit by last month's winter storms was granted today by President Barack Obama. The declaration paves the way for counties and local entities affected by the storms to seek millions of dollars in federal funds for disaster-related costs.

"I appreciate the President making this declaration so that our counties and communities can have the help they need in recovering their costs," Gov. Nixon said. "Those local officials responded very quickly to these ice storms, and this declaration will help speed their recovery."

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The President's declaration will assist 20 counties in recovering from the damage caused by this major storm. Those counties are Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, and Wayne.

On Jan. 30, President Obama granted Missouri an emergency disaster declaration in response to Gov. Nixon's request, allowing the state to receive federal assistance to pay its costs related to the storm. Today's declaration of a major disaster by the President entitles counties and local entities to receive this same federal assistance.

Assessments by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and its federal counterpart, FEMA, for damages sustained by counties, municipalities, electric cooperatives and municipal utilities have been determined to be in excess of $193 million.

Source: Gov. Nixon's Request For Major Disaster Declaration For Counties Hit By Ice Storms Granted By President Obama