Contact: Scott Holste, (573) 751-0290
Channing Ansley, (573) 751-0290
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 22, 2014
Gov. Nixon requests major disaster declaration to assist communities impacted by severe storms, flooding in September
Storm system resulted in extensive and prolonged flooding, causing significant damage to roads and other infrastructure
JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today requested a federal major disaster declaration for 20 northern Missouri counties as a result of a severe storm system that brought damaging straight line winds and widespread flooding to that part of the state from Sept. 9 to Sept. 10.
“The winds generated by this storm system damaged schools and other public buildings, and because of torrential and sustained rains, some areas received more than nine inches of rainfall. That led to days of flooding that heavily damaged infrastructure,” Gov. Nixon said. “The response and recovery costs to the affected communities – some of which had already been hit by damaging severe storms in May and June – will be extensive, and federal assistance with these costs will help the entire region rebuild and move forward.”
The Governor said joint damage assessments in the affected region have already been completed and revealed extensive damage to roads, bridges and low water crossings. The Missouri Department of Transportation reported 70 different roads were closed during the storm’s peak impact, including Interstate 29 near the Atchison–Holt county line and U.S 36 in Macon County.
Gov. Nixon’s disaster declaration request is for public assistance for the following 20 counties: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Daviess, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Ralls, Shelby, Sullivan and Worth. Public assistance allows local authorities to seek assistance for response and recovery expenses associated with the severe weather and flooding.
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Scott Holste
Press Secretary for Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
573-751-0290
