For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 16, 2007

Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for Missouri

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Missouri and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms and flooding beginning on January 12, 2007, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in the counties of Barry, Barton, Callaway, Camden, Christian, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Montgomery, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Louis, Stone, Warren, Webster, Wright, and the independent City of St. Louis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

R. David Paulison, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael L. Karl as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The Agency said that damage surveys have been requested and will be conducted as soon as the situation permits.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.

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