Blunt requests federal money for flood relief

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt asked Friday for federal aid for 26 counties, to help pay for damage from the most recent Missouri River flood.

Blunt requested that residents and businesses in 17 counties, mostly in northern and western Missouri, be made eligible for low-interest loans and grants to pay for damage to uninsured property. He also asked that local governments in 19 counties be eligible for reimbursement for repairs and cleanup costs.

President Bush would have to approve disaster declarations for the areas first.

Damage assessment teams have found that 558 homes and 72 businesses were damaged during the flooding of the Missouri River and its connecting rivers and streams. The teams have found more than $29 million worth of damage to local infrastructure and are continuing their assessments through next week.

"Missourians have suffered from the spring flooding, and we are doing everything we can to help," Blunt said.

The counties that could be eligible for individual assistance are Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Jackson, Lafayette, Livingston, Morgan, Nodaway, Osage and Platte.

Blunt is requesting assistance for local governments in Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Daviess, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, Saline and Worth counties.