MORE FLOOD AID HEADED TO CAPE, PERRY COUNTIES

State Sen. Peter Kinder said Tuesday he was advised by the governor's office that Cape Girardeau and Perry Counties have been approved for more disaster relief under the Public Assistance Declaration by FEMA.

Kinder, and Cape County State Reps. Mary Kasten and David Schwab, made the request last week so that local governmental entities can seek reimbursement for their expenses caused by the flooding.

"This allows reimbursement for cities, counties, and especially levee districts who have really gone in hoc the last few weeks," said Kinder.

Under the relief program, the federal government provides 75 percent of the assistance, the state provides 15 percent, and the local entity 10 percent.

Kinder said he was pleased that Gov. Mel Carnahan and his staff moved quickly to get federal approval for the request.

"We are pleased that Gov. Carnahan has moved quickly to include these parts of Southeast Missouri which have been badly damaged as a result of the flood of 1993," said Kinder.

He noted that governmental entities in the counties are facing a tremendous cost to clean up from the flood.

Kinder had also made a request for Scott County and said he expects that to be processed and announced soon.