State and federal help may become available to victims of a series of tornadoes that struck the state May 19-27.
Acting Gov. Mike Kehoe has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint preliminary damage assessments in Barry, Butler, Carter, Howell, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Texas counties.
Assessments are scheduled to begin Monday.
This request begins the process of obtaining federal disaster assistance for the 10 counties, state officials said in a press release.
The city of Dexter is expecting costs from tree clean-up to top $200,000, city manager David Wyman said.
A disaster declaration is the only way the city would be able to recoup some of their costs, he said.
Wyman said representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency had already begun meeting with communities. Dexter suffered an EF2 tornado May 26.
“A lot depends on if we can get it designated as a disaster,” he explained. “It has to do with the amount of damage that was done to uninsured properties, which is smaller than what you might think.”
For instance, the damage done to city of Dexter infrastructure, like the street department building that was destroyed, would not count because it was insured, Wyman said.
Damage sustained by Ameren, a private business, also would not count because it was insured. The same is true of most private property damage, Wyman said.
For Stoddard County, what would count is the damage done to SEMO Electric Cooperative.
“We’re waiting on the damage estimate they turn in,” he said. “If it does get a disaster declaration, it opens up funds.”
Dexter is currently using city crews, as well as private contractors, to assist with debris removal. Wyman was estimating it would be a months-long process to complete the cleanup. Without a disaster declaration, though, he said the city would eventually have to stop utilizing private contractors because of the cost.
“We will get to the point where we will have to turn them off. It costs a lot of money,” Wyman said, expressing gratitude to the community for the donation of time, labor and goods that has assisted with clean up this far.
Kehoe shared that he had observed the major damage done to southern Missouri in these storms.
“It is important to take these actions today so we can continue to work alongside local and federal partners, offering support and assistance to communities in need,” Kehoe said in reference to the announcement Thursday that assessments would begin.
Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local emergency management officials.
Beginning Monday, June 3, four teams will verify documented damage to determine if individual assistance can be requested through FEMA. Individual assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other qualifying expenses.
Kehoe also has extended Missouri’s current State of Emergency declaration in response to severe weather that has impacted communities across the state in recent weeks.
Since late April, Missouri has been repeatedly impacted by severe weather with the most recent storm system occurring over Memorial Day Weekend. On May 26, multiple rounds of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes swept across the state, particularly southeast Missouri, leaving thousands without power and causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Flash flooding continues to be a concern with additional rainfall forecasted in the coming days.
Extending the State of Emergency ensures the state can directly assist local jurisdictions, allowing increased flexibility and capacity to support response and recovery efforts. A State of Emergency is also the first step required by FEMA to seek a major disaster declaration.
SEMA continues to coordinate with volunteer and faith-based partners to identify needs and assist residents over the coming days and weeks. The American Red Cross has opened a 24-hour shelter at the Sikeston YMCA, located at 511 Taylor Street, for individuals and families who have been displaced or otherwise impacted.
The Southeast Missouri Food Bank has arranged mobile food distribution sites for local residents in addition to its food pantries hosted weekly throughout the region. Dates, times, and locations can be found at semofoodbank.org/mobile-food-pantries/ and on the SEMO Food Bank Facebook page.
Convoy of Hope is supporting a point of distribution for shelf-stable food, water and other supplies at Sikeston First Assembly of God, 306 S. Kingshighway, Sikeston, MO 63801. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hot meal service is also available at this location from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, please visit recovery.mo.gov.
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