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FOR PRESS INQUIRIES, CONTACT:  Amy Susan (573) 751-1518
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 10, 2011

Five Missouri counties receive major disaster declaration; additional county designations pending
President Obama grants request by Gov. Nixon in initial approval for Missouri counties hit by severe weather and flooding; declaration means federal government will provide assistance to eligible communities, families

JEFFERSON CITY – President Barack Obama tonight granted a request by Gov. Jay Nixon for a major disaster declaration for areas across Missouri hit in April and May by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. The declaration means eligible individuals and households in five Missouri counties – Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis and Taney – can seek federal assistance for uninsured losses from the storms and flooding that have affected the state since April 19. Eligible uninsured losses include expenses such as temporary housing, home repair and replacement of household items.

In addition to the individual assistance for those counties, the President granted a public assistance declaration for St. Louis County. That designation will allow local governments there to seek assistance for response and recovery expenses associated with the severe storms and tornadoes in April.

Gov. Nixon said that more counties in Missouri may be designated as disaster areas as additional damage assessments are completed.

“I appreciate the President taking swift action on the request that I made just four days ago, so that Missouri families can more quickly recover from the severe storms, tornadoes, and record flooding that have affected parts of our state,” Gov. Nixon said. “As the flood waters recede and more damage assessments can be done, we will ask the federal government to expand this disaster declaration to provide similar vital assistance to other impacted communities and families.”

Gov. Nixon declared a state of emergency in Missouri on April 22. That order activated the State Emergency Operations Center and enabled the state to mobilize its resources - including the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Guard and Highway Patrol - to assist local authorities.

Since that time, almost 800 members of the National Guard have been mobilized to provide assistance where needed; 150 Highway Patrol troopers were assigned to help with the flooding response in southern and southeast Missouri.

To file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), you must first file a regular unemployment claim by calling the Regional Claims Center. This cannot be filed by using the internet. The Division will request a copy of your Social Security Card as well as tax information showing income for 2010.

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