Federal government approves disaster declaration for St. Louis region after record flooding

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KFVS) - President Joe Biden approved the major disaster declaration for Missouri in response to severe flooding in the St. Louis region from July 25-28.

This makes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance program available to eligible residents in the city of St. Louis, St. Louis and St. Charles counties.

Individual Assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other qualifying expenses as a result of the flooding and storms.

Governor Mike Parson requested the federal disaster assistance on Thursday, August 4.

“This was historic, devastating flash flooding that has impacted thousands of people in the St. Louis region,” Governor Parson said. “As we’ve seen at the assistance center events last week, there is tremendous need to support the families that have been so severely impacted by the record flash flooding. I appreciate the President acting swiftly to get Missourians the assistance they need. We will continue to work closely with our federal and local partners, along with the voluntary organizations that are already working hard to help.”

According to a release from the governor’s office, of the 1,338 homes assessed, more than 750 had major damage.

The assessments, which were conducted by eight joint Preliminary Damage Assessment teams, including representatives from the State Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency and local officials, also showed 131 of 206 businesses that were examined had major damage.

Based on those assessments, Governor Parson requested Individual Assistance for the city of St. Louis and St. Louis and St. Charles counties.

Joint assessments also determined more than $35 million in damage to uninsured infrastructure and emergency response costs were incurred in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis, St. Charles and Montgomery counties.

The federal disaster declaration also makes FEMA’s Public Assistance program available to the city of St. Louis and St. Louis, St. Charles, and Montgomery counties. The Public Assistance program allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.

Individuals who sustained damage or losses due to the flooding between July 25 and July 28 in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis and St. Charles counties may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free application line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, seven days a week.

Those affected by the flooding are encouraged to document losses, including photographing damage and retaining receipts. The faster Missourians register with FEMA, the faster they may be able to receive assistance.

The Multi-Agency Resource Center at a St. Louis church will continue to provide assistance to those impacted by flooding. The MARC at Friendly Temple Church will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, August 9-11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The American Red Cross has a shelter open for displaced survivors at the St. Vincent Community Center on St. Charles Rock Road in St. Louis, Mo. Since July 26, the shelter has provided more than 160 overnight stays.

Since last week, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has already paid more than $785,000 in claims for flooding losses in Missouri.

Anyone with unmet needs and those who would like to help should contact United Way 211. Call 211 for assistance or visit http://211helps.org.