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.

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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.