Bob Foos
Jasper County is among 34 Missouri counties now eligible for help in recovering from damage caused by natural disasters from June 4 – 18. Most of the damage here was done by straight-line winds on the night of June 13.
Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that President Donald J. Trump has approved Missouri’s request for a major disaster declaration.
The president’s action makes the FEMA Public Assistance program available to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair and restoration of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure as well as reimbursement of emergency response costs.
Webb City Administrator Carl Francis says the city has tracked its expenses since the beginning of the recovery in case there would be a disaster declaration. He says the city will seek reimbursement for unanticipated fuel and equipment costs and the cost of clearing trees from the Webb City Cemetery.
Police Don Melton, the city’s emergency management director, will know more after attending a meeting on the matter next week in Joplin.
Francis adds that the amount of help received will depend on the available funds that will be shared by the 34 counties.
The FEMA website has information about how companies and individuals can apply to receive help recovering from uninsured or underinsured losses.
