Storm-hit areas get disaster declaration

Missouri counties affected by storms and tornadoes from last weekend have been declared federal disaster areas.

Following the storms that occurred between March 11 and March 13, Gov. Matt Blunt and U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., wrote a letter to President Bush requesting the disaster declaration, a release from the governor's office stated.

"The storms and tornadoes devastated many areas of the state and this declaration will help provide new federal resources to help individuals and business owners recover from this disaster," Talent said in the release.

As a result of the president's declaration, federal funding will be made available to affected individuals in Christian, Hickory, Johnson, Monroe, Perry, Pettis, Randolph, Ste. Genevieve and Saline counties.

Assistance may include grants for temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.