Missouri seeks damage assessments across 17 counties in preparation for federal disaster declaration request

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson announced that Missouri has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in 17 counties in response to severe storms and flooding.

Teams will survey the damage that began on June 19 with severe weather and continued through July 1 in preparation for the state's official request for federal disaster assistance.

“The extremely heavy rains that affected much of Missouri in late June resulted in flash flooding that caused significant and costly damage to roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure,” Governor Parson said. “SEMA has continued to communicate with our local partners about damage estimates, and it is clear that a number of counties have sustained high levels of destruction and response costs and that Missouri is approaching the levels required to qualify for federal disaster assistance.”

Once approved, PDAs will be conducted in 17 counties including Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, Montgomery and Saline county in Mid-Missouri.