Disaster aid authorized for Mo. farmers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Farmers in about two-thirds of Missouri's counties, including Scott and Stoddard counties, may be eligible for aid because of a federal disaster declaration for water and wind damage.

Gov. Jay Nixon said Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared a disaster as a result of rain, winds and flooding that occurred between Feb. 1 and July 31.

Farmers may qualify for federal emergency loans or payments.

The agricultural disaster declaration covers 28 primary counties, plus 47 counties located next to them.

Counties designated as primary natural disaster areas are: Adair, Caldwell, Carroll, Cedar, Crawford, Daviess, DeKalb, Dunklin, Gentry, Harrison, Knox, Laclede, Marion, Mercer, Mississippi, Montgomery, New Madrid, Nodaway, Pemiscot, Phelps, Pulaski, Ripley, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Sullivan, Warren and Worth.

Neighboring counties also eligible for aid are: Andrew, Atchison, Audrain, Barton, Buchanan, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Carter, Chariton, Clark, Clinton, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Grundy, Holt, Iron, Lafayette, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Maries, Miller, Monroe, Oregon, Osage, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Scott, St. Charles, St. Clair, Stoddard, Texas, Vernon, Washington, Webster and Wright.