Bush declares disaster areas in wake of deadly storms

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Thursday declared a major disaster in several Missouri counties, just days after the state was ravaged by a series of deadly tornadoes.

The president's action, confirmed by Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., makes federal funding available to help rebuild and repair property damaged in Christian, Hickory, Johnson, Monroe, Perry, Pettis, Randolph, St. Genevieve and Saline counties.

Federal funding also is available to eligible state and local governments and some nonprofit groups in Bates, Christian, Howard, Jefferson, Monroe, Montgomery and Washington counties for debris removal and other emergency measures.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt requested federal disaster assistance on Tuesday. Talent and Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., had asked the president to approve the request for aid quickly so local officials could begin cleanup efforts.

"It's a fast turnaround," Talent said of Bush's declaration. "Everybody in the delegaton has been pushing for this."

Assistance can include grants for home repairs and temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people and business owners recover from the storms.

Blunt said he was grateful for the president's quick action.

"This financial assistance will help Missourians get back on their feet and rebuild their communities," Blunt said in a written statement.

Nine people were killed in Missouri by the deadly storms that whipped across five states Saturday and Sunday with high winds, hail and flooding. Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged.