Governor Mike Kehoe announced today that President Donald Trump has approved the state’s request for a major disaster declaration for Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon and Webster County.
This declaration is in response to the severe storms, straight-line winds, hail, heavy rains, and flooding that occurred in said counties throughout Memorial Day weekend (May 23-26).
“For the past four months, communities across Missouri have been heavily damaged by continuing severe storms, with some of the most devastated areas affected once again by this four-day severe weather event,” Governor Kehoe said in a press release today, “I spoke personally with President Trump last night, and we appreciate his approval of this federal assistance, which will provide millions of dollars to assist in rebuilding infrastructure that is vital to the recovery of the impacted communities.”
Governor Kehoe requested the declaration on June 21, following joint Preliminary Damage Assessments that were conducted earlier that month, with damage and response costs estimated at more than $13.5 million.
This is Missouri’s fifth major disaster declaration since March of this year.
Photo courtesy of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe.