Blunt asks feds for disaster assistance

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt asked Pres. George Bush today to approve a Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for 18 Missouri counties affected by the Feb. 10-14 ice storm, according to a news release sent out by Blunt's communications office.

Blunt requested disaster assistance for Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Christian, Carter, Douglas, Greene, Madison, Mississippi, Ozark, Reynolds, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Wayne, Webster and Wright counties.

The request is based on reports from preliminary damage estimates in these counties collected by joint local, federal and state teams. The teams identified over $13.8 million in damages, the news release said. If the request is approved, local jurisdictions will be reimbursed for "protective actions, repairs or replacement of damaged infrastructure and debris cleanup."