The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today approved Governor Jay Nixon’s request to expand the federal major disaster declaration for Missouri.  The approval allows local and state government, as well as eligible nonprofit agencies in 37 counties and the City of St. Louis, to seek assistance for response and recovery expenses associated with flooding in December and January.

The flooding led to 16 deaths and destroyed or significantly damaged nearly 1,000 homes.

Damage assessment teams have identified an estimated $41 million in damage to infrastructure and response expenses for the storms.

Water churns on flooded Route 141 near Interstate Highway 44 in Valley Park, Missouri on January 1, 2016. Flooding statewide from three straight days of rain caused evacuations, road closures and fifteen deaths. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Water churns on flooded Route 141 near Interstate Highway 44 in Valley Park, Missouri on January 1, 2016. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

“From the western to the eastern borders of the state, Missouri was hit by devastating flooding and severe weather that left a trail of destruction to roads, bridges, public structures and other infrastructure, along with significant response costs,” Nixon said. “This expanded federal disaster declaration will provide vital assistance to communities as they rebuild infrastructure that is essential to residents and businesses as they move their communities forward.”

The 37 counties included in the expanded disaster declaration are: Barry, Bollinger, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cedar, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, McDonald, Newton, Ozark,  Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, St. Charles, St. Clair, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Scott, Stoddard, Stone,  Taney, Texas, Washington and Webster, as well as the City of St. Louis.

On January 21, President Barack Obama granted Nixon’s request for a major disaster declaration to assist residents affected by the flooding. That declaration made available the Individual Assistance program to help eligible residents with temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other expenses as a result of flooding, as well as disaster-related unemployment assistance in 33 Missouri counties: Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

A railroad bridge is nearly covered by water from the Meramec River during historic flooding in Valley Park on December 31, 2015. Flooding statewide from three straight days of rain has caused evacuations, road closures and fourteen deaths. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

A railroad bridge is nearly covered by water from the Meramec River during historic flooding in Valley Park on December 31, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Nixon declared a state of emergency in Missouri on December 27, as heavy rain, flooding and flash flooding impacted the state. The Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan also was activated, allowing state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency services.

On January 2, the President approved Nixon’s request for a federal emergency declaration to speed debris removal and relieve the strain of response and recovery costs in the St. Louis region. As a result of that declaration, Gov. Nixon announced Operation Recovery, a federal and state debris removal program coordinated by the Missouri National Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Debris removal has been underway in Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.

Through February 9, Operation Recovery crews have removed and disposed of more than 98% of identified residential debris in participating communities in Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties: 2,675 tons of construction and demolition debris, 1,201 tons of sand, as well as more than 25,000 household hazardous waste items, appliances and electronics items.

Individuals who sustained damage or losses due to the flooding between December 23, 2015 and January 9, in one of the 33 Missouri counties included in the January 21 Individual Assistance disaster declaration may register for disaster aid online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The Governor said the quicker that Missourians register with FEMA, the more quickly they may be able to receive assistance. The deadline for applying for most individual assistance programs is March 21, 2016.