WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) this afternoon announced that a major disaster declaration has been issued for the state of Missouri as a result of the severe ice storm of January 26th.  The designation makes 20 Missouri counties eligible for Public Assistance (assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities), 19 of which are in the Eighth Congressional District Emerson represents.

“I’m relieved we have this designation to take a lot of the financial pressure of this disaster off of our local communities.  Based on what I have seen across our southern tier of counties over the past couple of weeks, public assistance is sorely needed and will be relied upon to clean up after this storm and repair damaged buildings in our communities,” Emerson said.  “We’ve all pulled together during a difficult time – including hardships for some residents still today as a direct result of this storm.  I’m grateful to everyone who has lent a hand to help these last few weeks, especially our first responders, volunteers, and line workers.  I sincerely hope this designation will guarantee a complete response to a tragic storm in the weeks and months of recovery still ahead.”

Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Stone, Taney and Wayne Counties are included in the Public Assistance Category.  Meetings and workshops with local governmental and other eligible entities will be held over the next few days with FEMA and Missouri State Emergency Management officials to explain the Public Assistance category in greater detail.

All the counties of Missouri are eligible to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  Those grants are available to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.