Gov. Jay Nixon requests disaster declaration after flash flooding

Gov. Jay Nixon is asking the federal government to issue a major disaster declaration for 22 southern Missouri counties hit hard by this month’s floods.

Nixon said Tuesday the costs of emergency response and repairs will be high.

The floods that resulted from nearly two weeks of heavy rain caused widespread damage across the southern tier and left at least three people dead.

Nixon announced his request in Conway, Mo, where the wastewater treatment system was heavily damaged.

“The cost in responding to the flooding and in repairing public infrastructure and individual property will be high, and it’s appropriate to request assistance with those costs from the federal government,” said Gov. Nixon.

The governor is asking the federal government to clear the way for individual and public assistance in 14 counties, public assistance in four counties and individual assistance in four others.

The request for both public and individual assistance includes the Mid-Missouri counties of Camden, Maries, Miller, Osage, Phelps and Pulaski. Nixon is requesting individual assistance in Gasconade and Morgan counties.

Individual assistance allows households to seek federal aid for uninsured losses. Public assistance allows local governments to seek help with response and recovery expenses.