Missouri congressional delegation lobbies Trump to approve disaster request

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri's members of Congress on Tuesday wrote to President Donald Trump, urging him to approve a disaster declaration request signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe last month.

The letter was signed by each member of Missouri's delegation, Democrat and Republican. The letter states that officials have documented more than $36 million in damage eligible for reimbursement, which is triple the threshold to qualify for assistance.

The request was made for 12 counties affected by storms between April 23 and April 28.

Kehoe requested FEMA individual assistance for Randolph, Saline, Clay, Gentry, Green and Holt counties after more than 140 households were verified to have damage that was not covered by insurance. The release says more than half of the residences are renter-occupied homes.

Public assistance is also being requested for Randolph, Saline, Howard, Monroe, Ripley, St. Francois, Carroll, Chariton, Green and Holt counties. If approved, nonprofits and local governments can seek federal assistance.