Mo. Gov. seeks federal major disaster declaration

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Jay Nixon is requesting a federal major disaster declaration for severe storms that struck Missouri from May 29 to June 10.

The storms included one that spawned a tornado in the St. Louis area and others that caused widespread flooding.

Nixon's request Wednesday is for public assistance to 30 counties statewide from Barton County on the border with Kansas to St. Louis County, including Cape Girardeau and Perry counties. The governor also is requesting individual assistance for Callaway, Lincoln, Montgomery, Osage, Pike, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.

Public assistance allows local officials to seek aid for response and recovery efforts. Individual assistance allows households to seek federal aid for uninsured losses.