Governor seeks disaster declaration for 70 counties, including Perry

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is asking the federal government to declare a major disaster for 70 counties, including Perry County, due to spring and summer storms that caused tornadoes, torrential rains and flooding across much of the state.

Nixon made the request Tuesday, citing damage to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, along with homes and businesses. At least 10 deaths are blamed on the storms and flooding.

Hank Voelker, emergency management director for Perry County, said the declaration would assist the Bois Brule Levee and Drainage District in McBride that has been running its emergency pumping stations nonstop since mid-May to remove floodwater.

The declaration would help with man hours and the cost of diesel fuel, a huge expense, Voelker said.

"The crops are all underwater, and they just can't keep up with all the rain we've been getting," he said. "That's primarily our only area that was affected in our county. The only other thing than that was simply debris over our roads that our road guys basically removed within minutes."

Nixon says since mid-May, more than half of the state has been damaged, and many places face extensive response and rebuilding expenses.

Nixon first declared a state of emergency June 18, an order that activated the State Emergency Operations Center and enabled the state to mobile resources to assist local authorities. Last week, he extended the state of emergency to Aug. 14.