Missouri to get $1.6M in federal funds for flood damage

Missouri will be getting an infusion of funds to help pay for damage caused by flooding in 2013 and 2015.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced Friday $410 million in emergency relief nationwide for repairing roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods and other events, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

"We stand by communities that have been impacted by natural disaster and other emergencies," Foxx said in the release. "These funds will allow states to complete projects that are ready to go, and that will allow people to travel and resume their daily lives as soon as possible."

The funds will come from the Federal Highway Administration and be dispersed among 33 states, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and several federal land-management agencies.

Of the $410 million, Missouri will receive $1,646,115 ­-- $329,223 to be used for repairs related to flooding in May and June 2013, as well as $1,316,892 to be used to repair damage caused by severe storms and flooding in May, June and July of this year.

Colorado, which will receive $115.5 million, topped the list among states to be reimbursed for a single incident through the emergency relief program for a flood that caused damage throughout the state in September 2013.

"Emergency relief funding is an integral part of the federal-aid program," federal highway administrator Gregory Nadeau said in the release. "Part of our mission is to help states get back on track by restoring broken transportation links when disaster strikes."

The Federal Highway Administration's emergency-relief program reimburses states for eligible expenses based upon their requests, the release stated.

The funds help pay for the reconstruction or replacement of highways, bridges and guardrails or other damaged safety devices and the arrangement of detours.

The Missouri Department of Transportation did not respond Monday to an email requesting data on affected projects in Southeast Missouri.

kwebster@semissourian.com

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