8/8/2019 Missouri Quick Guide to Disaster Assistance

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For More information about the

Disaster Process Contact

State Emergency Management

Agency (SEMA)

(573) 526-9100

Quick Guide

To

Disaster

Assistance

8/8/2019 Missouri Quick Guide to Disaster Assistance

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Disaster Steps1. Local Response: All disasters begin

with a local response. Local officials should

actively inquire plus citizens and businessesshould report property damage to the localEmergency Management Director (EMD),

even if the jurisdiction is able to respond.

2. Local Government Requests

Assistance: If the local response capabilitiesare overwhelmed, the Local Elected Officialsmay request assistance, and send damagei n fo r ma t io n t o t h e S t at e E me r ge n c y

Management Agency (SEMA).

3. State Emergency Declaration:

Based on information provided by SEMA, theGovernor may issue an Executive Order for aState of Emergency for specific counties. Theexecutive order allows state agency resourcesto assist local governments in the disasterresponse.

4. Joint Damage Assessments: TheGovernor may request a Federal/State Joint

Damage Assessment. The Joint DamageAssessment Team is composed of SEMA,FEMA, and SBA officials who tour damagedareas with local officials. This information is

collected and analyzed, and submitted to theGovernor.

5. Requesting a Presidential Disaster

Declaration: If the Governor asks the Presidentfor a Major Disaster Declaration, the request is

submitted through FEMA Region VII in KansasCity. The President makes the decision on theGovernors request.

Federal & SBA

Disaster Assistance

Different Types of Federal DisasterAssistance: If the Governors formal disaster

request is approved, there are several types ofdisaster assistance.

T he Small B usine ss Admin-istration Disaster Declaration: the SmallBusiness Administration Declaration can helphouseholds and businesses with low-interestloans.

T he U .S . D ep ar tm en t o f Agriculture Disaster Declaration: helpsfarmers and agricultural producers recover from

an agricultural or natural disaster. Applicantswork through their local Farm Service Agencyon the application process.

Presidents Disaster Declar-ation: the President may declare that a majordisaster or emergency exists, thus activatingan array of Federal programs to assist in theresponse and recovery effort. Not allprograms are activated for every disaster.Programs are activated based on needs found

during damage assessment and any

subsequent information that may bediscovered.

Emergency Disaster Assist-ance: helps declared cities and counties withemergency protective services directly relatedto eligible emergency protective measures,and debris removal from public property and

public rights of way.

Presidents Disaster Declarationfor Individual Assistance: helps individualsand households in declared counties begin therecovery process after a disaster. IndividualAssistance Programs include TemporaryHousing, Emergency Living Expenses,

Individuals & Households Program, MinimumEssential Repairs, Disaster Unemployment, and

other programs. The first step is to call theFEMA telephone registration 800 number. Thesecond step is to complete a Small BusinessAdministration low-interest disaster loanapplication. If a Family does not qualify for anSBA loan, they may receive help from theIndividuals and Households Program.

Presidents Disaster Declaration

for Public Assistance: helps repair or re-

place damaged public facilities within a

federally declared disaster area. Public

assistance grants are provided on a cost-

share basis with the Federal share being at

least 75%. Public Assistance is divided intodifferent types and categories: EmergencyWork or Permanent Work. Emergency Workincludes debris removal and emergency

protective services. Permanent Work categoriesinclude: Roads and Bridges, Water ControlFacilities, Buildings and Equipment, Utilities,and Parks, Recreational Facilities and OtherItems.