As recovery efforts continue in 28 southern Missouri counties, free legal aid is being made available to storm victims. Jessica Machetta has more.

Disaster Recovery Centers, set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are helping those affected by severe storms in May get back on their feet. Now, they can get legal assistance as well.

FEMA’s Tim Walker says the service is provided by the Missouri Bar Association.

Flood-related legal needs include replacement of wills and other legal documents destroyed in the disaster, couseling on mortgage-forclosure problems and tenant-landlord problems. The service can also help with insurance disputes, contracts for cleanup and debris removal and more.

A toll free hotline is also available for those who can’t go to a recovery center in person. Call 800.829.4128.

The residents of the following counties, which were declared disaster areas by the federal government, qualify for the service: Adair, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Ghristian, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Madison, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Shannon, Texas, Washington and Webster.

Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]