<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> Jasper County’s bill estimated at $1.3 for windstorm damage

May 27, 2009 12:26 pm

— The cost of public assistance to clean up the limbs and trees from the May 8 windstorm is $1.3 million in Jasper County.
Today, Keith Stammer, director of emergency management for Joplin and the county, said a survey team with the state Emergency Management Agency offered that estimate after viewing the area last week.
Stammer said the agency has not asked yet for a federal disaster declaration for public assistance because cleanup is still being tabulated. The May 8 storm caused damage in 38 of Missouri’s 114 counties. Most of the damage was across the southern part of the state.
Stammer said there is no doubt Missouri will meet the $7 million threshold for cost of debris removal that is required to qualify for a federal disaster declaration and ensuing assistance.
Federal assistance to communities and counties would pay for 75 percent of the cleanup costs.
The state was declared a disaster area on Friday in terms of assistance to individuals affected by the storm.