Senators urge Obama to approve disaster declaration

Missouri's U.S. senators sent a letter to President Barack Obama on Friday encouraging approval of Gov. Jay Nixon's request for a disaster declaration for 18 counties damaged by the Feb. 29 tornado outbreak.

According to a news release from the Senate, Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt are asking the president to respond promptly to the request.

Nixon requested a major disaster declaration for the state Wednesday following a review of results from joint federal and state preliminary damage assessments. The governor specifically requested federal individual assistance funds be made available for Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott and Stoddard counties, along with 14 others.

The National Weather Service confirmed last week that all four counties were hit by tornadoes ranging in strength from EF1 to EF3.

The governor said during a March 2 visit to Oak Ridge that the total cost of damage statewide from the storms will total hundreds of millions of dollars. That same day, Nixon spoke with Obama, who pledged his support for recovery in Missouri.

More than 100 people were injured and three were killed during the tornado outbreak, which caused 12 tornadoes statewide.

Pertinent address:

Oak Ridge, MO

Puxico, MO