Missouri flood survivors receive over $8.9 million in grant assistance; Flood insurance payments total more than $35 million

The impact of Missouri’s coordinated flooding response and recovery effort is increasingly apparent on two fronts this week: Millions of dollars in federal assistance is flowing to disaster survivors in several forms, and scores of local governments, special districts and nonprofit agencies have now filed requests for federal assistance.

Missouri Disaster Recovery Coordinator Patrick Baker received firsthand accounts of local recovery efforts when he visited Carter County this week and met with residents and local officials. Baker and leaders from the State Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency surveyed damaged and destroyed homes and public buildings and discussed long-term planning efforts and potential efforts to mitigate against future flooding.

While Carter County was among the areas of the state hardest hit by the historic spring flooding, residents and community leaders have been teaming up to assist one another and explore options. There’s also been an outpouring of support from faith-based and volunteer organizations. There are similar efforts in flood-impacted communities across the state.  

For government agencies and nonprofits, time is of the essence in seeking federal assistance for damage to roads, bridges, other infrastructure, debris removal and emergency response costs. 

The deadline for communities (local governments and nonprofits) to apply for public assistance with FEMA is July 1, 2017. Applications must first be processed by SEMA – more information here.

There is still time to register for individual assistance at disasterassistance.gov. For the most current list of FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, go to Recovery.mo.gov. Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be there to discuss assistance and to help anyone who needs information or help filing an assistance application. FEMA continues to request that disaster survivors apply for assistance before going to a disaster recovery center. If you cannot do so online, call 800-621-3362. 

• FEMA has approved 1,375 applications from Missouri flood survivors and awarded them more than $8.9 million in grants for home repairs, temporary housing and other needs.
• The National Flood Insurance Program has received nearly 1,300 claims from Missouri policy holders. To date, more than 700 have been processed and closed, with payments totaling more than $35 million. More on NFIP here. 
• More than $6.3 million in low-interest disaster loans to individuals and business has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• This week, SEMA held 13 Applicant Briefings for local governments and nonprofits considering applying for federal Public Assistance to reimburse costs for infrastructure repairs, debris removal and emergency response efforts. A total of 169 Requests of Public Assistance (RPAs) have been received by SEMA. 
• Public Assistance applications must be filed with FEMA by July 1, after first being processed by SEMA. For information, call SEMA at (573) 526-9234. Additional information on the Public Assistance program is available here. 
• On June 20, SEMA State National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator Karen McHugh briefed the South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG) during its executive board meeting on the benefits of participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. SCOCOG includes Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas and Wright counties.  
• FEMA is offering free repair and rebuilding advice at home improvement stores in Arnold, Joplin, Poplar Bluff, Reeds Spring, Sullivan and West Plains. Check for details and watch for other locations here.
• The Department of Social Services reports more than 670 households have been approved for Disaster Food Stamp benefits after a special one-time registration from June 12-16.
• One hundred twenty-four families have received housing assistance through the state's Disaster Recovery Fund.
• Only two state roads remain closed due to flooding. MoDOT crews continue to monitor these roads, working to clean debris and check for damage as the water recedes.
• The Department of Mental Health submitted a grant to increase mental health support and continues to work with the six Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) in the regions affected to prepare for the start of crisis counseling program activities.
• The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory received 211 private drinking water samples and sent out 518 drinking water collection kits for testing.
• Thirty-six flood related workplace injuries have been reported to the state. 

Visit Recovery.mo.gov for more flood recovery resources. The site is updated daily.

United Way 211 is the go-to source for 24/7 assistance with unmet flood recovery needs. Call 2-1-1 for assistance or contact 211 online at http://211helps.org. 

Call FEMA’s hotline 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov . You have 60 days from the date of the disaster declaration (Aug. 1) to register. The quicker you register, the quicker you can get FEMA assistance. 

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