JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Governor Mike Kehoe announced that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in nine counties in response to historic flash flooding and severe storms July 9-11.
“Our SEMA regional coordinators have continued working alongside local officials to document extensive damage following last Friday’s unprecedented rainfall through this week as the floodwaters receded,” Governor Kehoe said. “These joint damage assessments with FEMA will verify damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in support of a request for a federal disaster declaration and federal assistance. This is an important next step as we continue working to assist our impacted communities.”
Joint PDAs were requested for Bollinger, Crawford, Iron, Madison, Morgan, Reynolds, Ripley, Washington, and Wayne counties. Additional counties could be added as local officials continue to document damage.
Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local emergency management officials. Beginning Tuesday, July 21, six teams will verify documented damage to determine whether FEMA Public Assistance can be requested through FEMA. Public Assistance allows local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. Both state and county thresholds must be met in order for a county to be included in the request.
To assist families and individuals in the region who were affected, SEMA’s Emergency Human Services section has coordinated with volunteer and faith-based partners and other state and local agencies to establish a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Reynolds County. A MARC is a central location or “one-stop shop” that brings together recovery resources and support services near the impacted communities and can include cleaning supplies, insurance information, food stamp replacement, emergency financial assistance, legal services, and more.
Reynolds County MARC (2 days)
VFW Post 6660 R.C.
2316 Green Street
Centerville, MO 63633
Friday, July 24 | Noon – 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Agencies at the MARC can only assist individuals and families, not businesses. Individuals are asked to bring photo identification showing their address and proof of residence to be eligible for assistance from some agencies. If identification has been lost due to damage, representatives at the MARC can assist residents with information on how to replace IDs and other important paperwork.
Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or going to 211helps.org or calling the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, visit recovery.mo.gov.