Cleaver, Congressional Delegation Call on FEMA to Approve Request for Preliminary Damage Assessments Following Severe Storms and Flooding Throughout Missouri
(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Sam Graves (R-MO), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Blaine Leutkemeyer (R-MO), Billy Long (R-MO), and Jason Smith (R-MO), along with U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell supporting Governor Mike Parson's recent request for Joint Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) following severe storms and flooding in Missouri.
"On July 6, 2021, Governor Parson officially requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in 17 Missouri counties," the lawmakers wrote. "Between June 19 and July 1, Missouri experienced severe storms and heavy rain that resulted in flash flooding and costly damage to roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. As the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency works with local partners to better understand and document the extent of the damage caused by these storms, additional counties may be added to this request."
"As you know these PDAs are the first step in determining whether the scope of damage caused by these storms exceeds the state's disaster response capabilities, and if federal assistance is needed to support recovery," the delegation continued. "We ask that FEMA work closely with the state of Missouri to carry out these assessments in a thorough, effective, and timely manner. We also ask that any further requests in connection with these storms receive due consideration."
Counties included in the request for PDAs are Andrew, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clinton, Cooper, Holt, Howard, Lincoln, Livingston, Moniteau, Montgomery, Ray, and Saline counties. As more information about storm and flood damage is gathered, the list of counties could be expanded.
The official letter from lawmakers is available here.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.
