WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has expanded the area included in its disaster designation to include tornado victims in Andrew, Butler, Dunklin, Pettis, St. Francois and Stoddard Counties in federal Individual Assistance programs.

 

“An F-3 tornado is a major event whether it runs through a rural area or through the center of a town.  In this case, more people than those who live in the disaster counties have experienced major damage from the storm, and they should be added to the disaster declaration.  The programs in place to help the storm victims should be available in each county affected by the storm.  It is clear that the victims of the tornado reside both inside and outside the original counties of the disaster declaration.  Expanding the disaster area will open up federal programs to assist the recovery effort to everyone who needs help.  I am very glad to learn about FEMA’s action on this particular request,” Emerson said.

 

The amended disaster declaration also expands the number of programs available to residents and communities in Pemiscot County.

 

Emerson, along with U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent, has urged FEMA to deploy an Emergency Support Function for Long Term Community Recovery in the Caruthersville area.  A team of FEMA personnel charged with this task would be assigned to the Bootheel region.

 

“Clearly, many months of work lay ahead for the people whose lives were changed by this terrible storm.  As I continue to visit the afflicted area and talk to the people charged with the recovery effort, every available resource must be directed to help the counties that experienced damage to get back on their feet.  It is a long-term recovery that demands our consistent efforts,” Emerson said.