Gov. Nixon requests major disaster declaration

Gov. Jay Nixon announced Thursday afternoon that he requested the president to declare Missouri a disaster area due to damage from storms and severe flooding that have hit the state in recent weeks.

The announcement, made via news release, also said damage assessments are currently underway in 38 counties affected by flooding, many of them in Southeast Missouri. Nixon's request includes the following counties and the City of St. Louis: Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Christian, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright.

A declaration would open up the way for federal assistance to individuals and local governments.

Nixon originally declared a state of emergency in Missouri on April 22, activating emergency response resources to address the disaster, including 750 National Guard and 150 Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel to provide flood response assistance.