Gov. Kehoe seeks disaster declaration for April storms

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe is asking for federal assistance to help the state recover from storms that hit in late April, including several Mid-Missouri counties.

Kehoe is asking FEMA to take part in damage assessments of public infrastructure for 11 counties, including Chariton, Howard, Monroe, Randolph and Saline, his office said Thursday in a news release. Assessments for assistance for individuals are being requested in Randolph and Saline counties.

Nearly 200 uninsured homes and businesses were damaged by the storms that rolled through the state from April 23 to April 28.

The storm outbreak dropped twisters in Randolph, Chariton, Howard, Saline and Monroe counties.

Kehoe's office said in a news release that the assessment request is the first step toward a federal disaster declaration.