WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today conveyed news that a federal disaster declaration has been made for 22 Missouri counties as a result of severe drought.  Twenty of the counties named are in the Eighth Congressional District, and five “contiguous counties” in the Eighth Congressional District are also eligible for disaster relief. 

“The USDA announcement is welcome news for farmers and ranchers who have been suffering as a result of drought conditions across the region,” Emerson said.  “Disaster declarations are not to be taken lightly, as severe drought conditions directly affect agricultural production, creating significant losses.  The economic effect of the drought trickles through every one of our rural communities.  A hardship for our farmers and ranchers is a hardship for us all.”

Agricultural operations in primary and contiguous disaster counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Administration.

“I appreciate Governor Blunt’s request for this federal designation, and I thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture for addressing this serious situation in our agricultural community by making emergency programs available,” said Emerson.

Primary counties included in the disaster declaration:

Bollinger
Butler
Cape Girardeau
Carter
Dunklin
Howell
Iron
Madison
Mississippi
New Madrid
Oregon
Pemiscot
Perry
Reynolds
Ripley
Scott
St. Francois
Stoddard
Washington
Wayne

Contiguous counties included in the disaster declaration:

Dent
Douglas
Ozark
Shannon
Texas