Scott County damage assessment wraps up

BENTON, Mo. -- It wasn't an oversight or lack of damage that excluded Scott County from a federal disaster declaration earlier this week.

The individual assistance assessment simply hadn't been completed yet. Those assessments were done Wednesday and Thursday, and included officials from the federal and state emergency management associations, as well as Amber Scudder, Scott County's emergency management director.

During their meeting Thursday, Scott County commissioners continued to talk about flooding damage, as well as the importance that Scott County be included in the disaster declaration.

"It's vital that we get it," emphasized Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger. "And after the assessments are done, I don't see why we would not get it."

On Monday, President Barack Obama ordered federal aid for Missouri to help the recovery from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began in April. This declaration allowed for federal funding for individuals in Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid and Taney counties and St. Louis city.

Burger said that he was surprised to hear that Scott County was not included in the declaration. But he later learned that counties are not added until assessments are done -- and FEMA sets those up.

"But it's very, very important that we get that individual assistance," said Burger. "We've been in touch with our state legislators, echoing that we have to have that declaration."

Excluding Commerce, Scott County's assessment was wrapped up around noon Thursday. A decision on whether the county is included in the declaration should come in the next couple of days, according to officials.

A major disaster declaration doesn't just involve individual assistance, it also provides public assistance, financial help in repairing public infrastructure, which includes roads, schools, fire stations and more. That assessment is tentatively planned for next week, according to Burger.

Individual assistance, according to the FEMA website, "can be provided to eligible individuals and households who are uninsured, or under-insured, and suffered losses due to disaster damage. It's important to remember that by law, the amount of individual assistance a person or household can receive is capped --just over $30,000 for this year --and may not cover losses to the extent that a flood insurance policy would.

"This assistance is also intended to support only necessary and serious needs that resulted from the disaster. The best way to make sure you and your family are protected against the devastating impacts of flooding is to have flood insurance."

Burger said while the individual assistance impacts people in pockets around the county, he believes that public assistance, especially on the roads, will be needed across the county.

"We just had so much rain and flash flooding," he said.

When it comes to public assistance, the federal government will reimburse costs no less than 75 percent. The other 25 percent of costs will be split so the state pays 10 percent and local entities pay the remaining 15 percent -- which includes time worked and use of the equipment.

Pertinent address:

Benton, MO