BOND –MCCASKILL URGE PRESIDENT TO HELP MISSOURI RECOVER FROM STORMS

BOND –MCCASKILL URGE PRESIDENT TO HELP  MISSOURI RECOVER FROM STORMS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill today urged the President to help Missouri recover from recent storms. At the end of May, the President denied the Governor’s request for a disaster declaration. Today, the Senators sent a letter to the President asking for approval of Governor Blunt’s formal appeal for a disaster declaration for the Missouri counties hit hard by a storm system which moved through Missouri on May 2nd.

The text of the letter is attached.

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Dear Mr. President,

On May 29, 2008 Missouri Governor Matt Blunt submitted a formal appeal to the decision denying a major disaster declaration for the State of Missouri as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes on May 2, 2008. We respectfully urge you to favorably consider Governor Blunt’s appeal.

The impact of the storms and tornadoes on May 2, 2008 resulted in 82 homes which were destroyed or suffered major damage, 1,818 homes that suffered minor damages, and a considerable amount of damage to public infrastructure. Given the significant impact of this storm and the additional burden caused by a series of disasters which have struck our state over the last six months, an effective response to this event is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments.

In particular, the local impact of this storm in Clay and Jackson Counties has caused a significant burden since this is the third disaster the City of Independence has endured in the last year. It is with this cumulative impact in mind that we strongly encourage you to grant Governor Blunt’s request.

Sincerely,

Christopher S. Bond Claire McCaskill