FEMA Money for Storm Damage Already Flowing Into Missouri

Federal officials say money has started flowing into Missouri to help victims of the tornadoes and severe thunderstorms earlier this month. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s coordinator for Missouri, Tom Costello, says his agency has a hotline: 1-800-621-FEMA for people to call if they have damage. Costello says too many people exclude themselves because either they don’t think they are eligible for help, or they don’t want to take charity, or they are afraid they’ll take funds from somebody who is more in need. He says people should go ahead and call FEMA to let the agency determine whether eligibility requirements have been met. It’s not charity, it’s tax dollars coming back to people in a time of need. And, Costello points out that there’s no limit on the budget for federal help – everyone will get all the help needed.