FEMA: $5.8 million in assistance paid to Southeast Missouri

More than $5.8 million in individual assistance has been granted to Southeast Missouri flood victims by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

More than 1,700 people in 12 Southeast Missouri counties had registered for assistance with FEMA as of May 31.

Across Missouri, more than $15 million in individual assistance has been provided to more than 9,900 residents since the initial federal disaster declaration issued May 9.

People with any amount of damage to their primary residence as a result of flooding are encouraged to register with FEMA even if they're not sure if they are eligible, said John Mills, FEMA spokesman. They may register by calling 800-621-3362 or online at www.fema.gov.

New Madrid County has received the most FEMA aid so far with a total of $2.5 million in grants given to 483 registered families.

A breakdown of FEMA assistance by county follows:

• Butler County, $1.9 million, 491 registered;
• Mississippi County, $455,900, 277 registered;
• Stoddard County, $393,800, 121 registered;
• Scott County, $272,600, 180 registered;
• Ripley County, $113,500, 31 registered;
• Cape Girardeau County, $79,800, 83 registered;
• Dunklin County, $63,800, 21 registered;
• Pemiscot County, $22,400, 32 registered;
• Bollinger, $10,500, number of registered not available.

Individual county totals were not available for St. Francois or Reynolds counties.

FEMA has also approved about $8 million in the Joplin, Mo., area for tornado victims, Mills said, but he wants people in Southeast Missouri to know that by registering with FEMA they are not taking away anything from Joplin.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646