Missouri – President Joe Biden has approved Governor Mike Parson’s request for a major disaster declaration in a major step toward helping Missouri recover from severe weather. The aftermath of the strong storms, tornadoes, and flooding that tore through 14 counties from November 3 to November 9, 2024, severely damaging important public infrastructure will be addressed with this government aid.
Approval of this proclamation guarantees financial support for the repair of severely damaged infrastructure like bridges and roads, therefore unlocking federal public assistance for the impacted areas. Additionally, it covers the reimbursement for emergency response and recovery expenses that have already totaled nearly $45 million, as detailed in Governor Parson’s request submitted on November 26.
“This is important news as the communities impacted by November storms continue on the path to recovery,” Governor Parson said. “We appreciate the President making federal assistance available, which will provide millions of dollars in much needed support to help our local partners repair roads, bridges, and other critically important infrastructure.”
The counties benefiting from the President’s disaster proclamation are Carter, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Shannon, Texas, Washington, and Wright. Through the Hazard Mitigation Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this federal aid not only concentrates on immediate repairs but also helps to prevent future damage. This initiative supports measures meant to lower public infrastructure’s vulnerability to natural disasters through cost-effective solutions.
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Those in need of help or more information on disaster recovery are advised to reach out to local resources. The United Way is available at 2-1-1 and the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Further details and support can be found on Missouri’s official disaster recovery website at recovery.mo.gov.
Setting a basis for more resilient community development in the face of future environmental difficulties, this federal disaster declaration marks an important step towards the rehabilitation and improvement of Missouri’s infrastructure and the well-being of its citizens.
