Department of Public Safety News Release

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Public Safety today announced teams of local, state and federal disaster specialists will conduct joint damage assessments for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance in Jefferson County; the teams will also now conduct assessments for Public Assistance in Wayne County, which was previously scheduled to be assessed for Individual Assistance.

On May 10, Gov. Eric Greitens first announced damage assessments would take place as Missouri prepared to seek a federal major disaster declaration due to the historic flooding. Participating in the assessment teams are local emergency managers and officials, the State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and, for Individual Assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration. Team members will carry official identification. Residents should not hesitate to request that they show their ID.

Individual Assistance teams assess damage to homes and personal property. Teams do not visit every house; the assessments are meant to get a broad overview of damage.

Public Assistance teams assess disaster damage to public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and schools as well as to certain nonprofit entities. 

Those affected by the flooding and severe storms are encouraged to report damage to local emergency management officials and to document losses, including photographing damage and retaining receipts.

Individuals and business owners should notify their insurance companies of damage and not wait for damage assessments.

Preliminary Damage Assessments for Individual Assistance have already been conducted or were previously scheduled to be conducted in the following counties: Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Christian, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Laclede, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Wayne, and Wright.

Preliminary Damage Assessments for Public Assistance have already been conducted or were  previously scheduled to be conducted in the following counties: Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Howell, Iron, Lawrence, Lincoln, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Pulaski, Ralls, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Louis, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Webster, and Wright.

In the coming days, additional counties may be added to the request for either Individual Assistance or Public Assistance damage assessments as the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency receives more information from local officials.

For information about Missouri flooding recovery and resources check Mo.gov/flood. The site is regularly updated with new information.

For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov