Audrain County is one of 18 Missouri counties recently accorded eligibility in a financial assistance program resulting from a previous flood disaster declaration announced for the state. According to Audrain County Emergency Management Director Sarah Williams, the designation – announced Friday for Audrain County – allows certain entities to qualify for potential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding as coordinated through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). She said Missouri had previously received a presidential disaster declaration for public assistance resulting from flooding and severe weather occurring June 1 to July 18.

As a result of Audrain County's addition to the federal public assistance list, Williams said applicable city, county, and special district representatives, and certain non-profit organization officials, are encouraged to attend a corresponding briefing scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Community Room of the Audrain County Courthouse, located at 101 North Jefferson in Mexico.

Specifically, the EMD said the public assistance declaration reimburses local governments for lifesaving protective measures, emergency work, debris removal, and repair and replacement of damaged critical infrastructure.

Likewise, Williams said private non-profit organizations may also be eligible for assistance if they meet the federal definition of utility, educational, emergency, medical, custodial care or critical care facility, or provide an essential public service such as a museum, library, community center, homeless shelter, or senior citizen center.

The EMD noted that reimbursement procedures will be explained to proper authorities Wednesday. In addition, she said, "During the approximately 3-hour briefing, officials will be asked to complete and submit a request for public assistance. The applicants will also need to provide their federal employer identification number (FEIN) and other information to initiate an applicant file. In addition to a senior official with signature authority, representatives involved in fiscal grant administration and recovery operations should also attend the briefing." Also, Williams said details regarding a new public assistance pilot program will be discussed.

Regarding excessive rainfall occurring during the past week, and resulting in considerable area flooding, the local emergency management director said: "The damage we've had Thursday through (Monday) will be a separate event. We still need people to go ahead and record that stuff and keep track of it, but the meeting that is scheduled for this Wednesday specifically addresses damages June 1 through 18 July. But keep track of it, feel free to contact myself or the (Audrain) county commission, and it will be addressed in the near future."

For further information, contact Williams at (573) 473-5892, or the county commission at (573) 473-5822.