Disaster declaration seen as aid to recovery

Federal disaster declarations that would make taxpayer aid available to victims of last week's deadly storms are being sought for 35 Missouri counties, including seven in Southeast Missouri.

If approved, residents of those counties who had uninsured losses in the storms could receive low-cost loans or grants to help their recovery, state and federal emergency officials said.

In the wake of the storms, which left 11 people dead in the state including two in Perry County, nine counties were declared eligible for federal disaster help. Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties in Southeast Missouri were included in that group.

Counties that could become eligible for disaster assistance include Butler, Dunklin, Stoddard, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid and Scott. Preliminary damage assessments for the additional counties show that, of the seven Southeast Missouri counties, New Madrid and Stoddard suffered the most severe damage.

A decision on the latest application shouldn't take long, officials said. The first disaster declaration was approved Thursday after the application was sent on Monday, they said.

Emergency officials are urging anyone with storm damage, including residents of counties not yet on the list, to file for help quickly. Additional counties could be added to the list, officials said.

"If they do not submit an application and fill out the paperwork package, there is no way we can help them," said Susie Stonner, spokeswoman for the State Emergency Management Agency. "The other thing is, if they call and register, we can contract building inspectors to come out and verify the damages."

A disaster declaration means that homeowners are eligible for loans of up to $200,000 to repair homes and replace personal belongings. Individuals who rent would be eligible for up to $40,000 in loans. The loan rates are typically between 2 and 3 percent, said Brian Bowman of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Options available

If the loans aren't enough, or the applicant isn't eligible, there are grant programs available but they are limited in scope, Stonner said. The loans and grants would be in addition to private insurance, not a replacement for private coverage, she said.

"What we are finding is that many people are uninsured," she said.

Initial disaster assessments focused on counties where deaths or serious injuries occurred, Stonner said. "Now we will go back and take care of the property damage," she said.

Applications for disaster aid are being handled by FEMA through a toll-free telephone number. Three mobile disaster response units have been deployed, Bowman said, but they are in the central and north-central parts of the state.

Additional teams will be established when space is located in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the state, he said.

"You can apply over the 800 number, or folks who have the ability to go online can do that as well," he said.

People with damage to report can do so in person if they want to wait for the establishment of a local office, Bowman said. "It is just a lot easier to do it over the phone."

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Need help?

FEMA urges anyone with storm damage who needs help to contact them either through the Internet or via telephone.

For telephone applicants, the number is (800) 621-3362.

For Internet users, the address is: www.fema.gov

The state of Missouri is also accepting donations for storm victims and accepting calls seeking assistance at (866) 254-0140.