Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, May 16, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Kit Bond today announced that for the second time this week additional federal funds will be available to help tornado-damaged counties recover from last week's storms.

"FEMA has continued to follow-through for the communities hit the hardest by last week's tornados. These dollars will help speed their recovery," said Bond, who surveyed Missouri tornado damage last Friday and again with the President earlier this week.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notified Bond's office this afternoon that Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Clark, Cole, Howard, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Moniteau, Montgomery, Osage, Pike, Ralls, Randolph and Shelby will receive public assistance – to repair and replace disaster-damaged public facilities. The public assistance they are approved for is Category A and B (debris removal and emergency protective measures). The counties have already been approved for assistance to individuals and households.

Howard and Lewis counties have been approved to receive the following assistance:

*Category C: Roads and Bridges - Repair of roads, bridges and associated features, such as shoulders, ditches, culverts, lighting and signs.

* Category D: Water Control Facilities - Repair of irrigation systems, drainage channels, and pumping facilities. Also, the repair of levees, dams, and flood control channels is available on a restricted basis.

* Category E: Buildings and Equipment - Repair or replacement of buildings, including their contents and systems; heavy equipment; and vehicles.

* Category F: Utilities - Repair of water treatment and delivery systems; power generation facilities and distribution lines; and sewage collection and treatment facilities.

* Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Other Items - Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries, and beaches. This category is also used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F.

Lastly, Clay, Howard and Lewis have now been approved to participate in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural or technological hazards.

Last week Senators Bond and Talent worked to speed the federal government's response to Missouri tornado victims – securing a federal disaster declaration for a number of tornado-struck counties and communities. Also, Bond spoke personally with the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez and shortly thereafter, that agency accelerated the delivery of $64 million to Kansas City and the State of Missouri. At the end of last week Bond also asked U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to make available an emergency allocation to the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) Tornado fund and to authorize the Missouri state and county Farm Service Agency offices to begin collecting requests for funds.

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service in his third term in the U.S. Senate.