Kehoe seeks damage assessment for federal disaster declaration for storms that hit Pilot Grove, rest of state at beginning of month

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the second time in roughly a month, Gov. Mike Kehoe has requested FEMA to participate in joint preliminary damage assessments for counties that were damaged by storms and flooding, according to a Friday afternoon press release from the governor’s office.

An EF-2 tornado ravaged Pilot Grove in Cooper County on April 2, but storms and flooding impacted several counties days before and after.

“Missouri has again been battered by severe storms and significant flooding, causing widespread destruction and disrupting the lives of many families and businesses across the state,” Kehoe was quoted in the release. “The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local emergency management officials have been working tirelessly to assess impacts, and we believe the extent of the damage clearly meets the threshold for FEMA to again participate in joint damage assessments.”

The joint preliminary assessment was requested for Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Cooper, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Iron Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Vernon, Washington and Wayne counties.

Assessments will begin on Tuesday, April 15, the release says. Teams will survey and verify documented damage to determine if individual assistance can be requested through FEMA.

Kehoe previously made the same request for storms that impacted Missouri on March 14 and 15.