Kehoe expands joint damage assessment request in preparation for major federal disaster declaration request

JEFFERSON CITY – On Tuesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe expanded his request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for joint preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) for individual assistance to include Dunklin and Madison counties. Yesterday, the governor requested that FEMA participate in joint PDAs in 23 counties following the March 14-15 severe storms that brought destruction to many parts of the state. The requests begin the process of obtaining federal disaster assistance.

“As local teams survey, confirm and tally the damage, the scale of the destruction to homes and communities is growing,” Kehoe said in a press release. “Damage totals and emergency response costs received and reviewed late yesterday and today have led me to add Dunklin and Madison counties to the request to FEMA for joint preliminary damage assessments. I appreciate the emergency managers, officials and responders who are laboring 24/7 to meet people’s immediate needs while at the same time working to expedite the recovery of their communities.”

Kehoe’s office said joint PDAs have now been requested for the following 25 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Laclede, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Stoddard, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management officials. Beginning Thursday, six teams will survey and 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.

Initial damage assessments now estimate approximately 369 houses were destroyed, 366 sustained major damage and over 1,000 have minor damage, the press release said. Damage assessments for roads, bridges and other public infrastructure are ongoing, likely resulting in a request for additional PDAs for public assistance later this week. Requests for additional PDAs could be made if local officials become aware of significantly more damage.

Outages continue to decrease as power is restored. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, fewer than 8,000 customers remained without power. The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated to assist in Missouri’s response and recovery.

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, visit recovery.mo.gov.