<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0>Obama approves disaster declaration for Jasper, Newton counties

June 22, 2009 02:17 pm

— A disaster declaration by President Barack Obama has cleared the way for federal aid to begin flowing into Jasper and Newton counties in the wake of last month’s storms.
The declaration requested by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon covers a total of 46 counties, including Jasper and Newton, and will enable local governments to be reimbursed for 75 percent of the costs they incur for emergency response and repairs to public infrastructure.
Private individuals within certain counties, including Jasper and Newton counties, also will be eligible for some public assistance through the declaration, according to a release from Nixon’s office.
Statewide, damage to public infrastructure and property from storms between May 8 and 16 exceeded $48.7 million.