COUNTY IN DISASTER ORDER

Fourteen Missouri counties -- including Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Madison -- are included in a disaster declaration issued Wednesday by President Bill Clinton through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The declaration was requested last week by Gov. Mel Carnahan in response to severe storms, tornadoes and flash flooding that occurred in the state from Nov. 13-18.

The declaration makes citizens in those counties eligible for individual assistance for disaster relief from FEMA.

Assistance available includes temporary housing, grants, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster.

State Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said he received notification of the declaration from the governor's office.

Kinder announced that a disaster center will be opened to assist individuals at the National Guard Armory, 224 West Park, in Jackson. The center will be open Dec. 12 and 13 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Dec. 14 from 8 a.m. until noon.

FEMA also has a toll-free number for persons needing information or assistance at 1-800-462-9029.

Brian Miller, director of the Cape County Emergency Operations Center, said the announcement is good news for people who were affected by the storms and flooding.

Said Miller: "What this means is family and individual grant programs with the types of assistance available like we had during the Mississippi River flooding this summer will now be available."

Miller said that more than 20 families were driven from their homes by the storms, and some have been unable to move back. In the southern part of the county, most of the damage was due to high winds, while flooding caused most of the damage around Millersville, Burfordville and Old Appleton.

"We're pleased the president saw fit to help folks who were injured economically and otherwise," said Miller. "We are grateful to have these resources available to offer for our folks.

"I know that our senators, Congressman Emerson, and our state legislators all worked pretty hard to make sure we would get this support."

Miller explained that another type of assistance covers damage to roads, bridges and public facilities in affected counties. At this point, a public assistance determination has not been made by FEMA.

He pointed out that Cape County had quite a bit of damage to some county roads and bridges, though nothing catastrophic.

Other counties included in the disaster declaration were: Carter, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, St. Louis, Wayne and Shannon.