Communities across Missouri and three neighboring states are receiving a share of more than $16.6 million in federal disaster recovery and mitigation funding announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
The money will help repair public infrastructure damaged by disasters while also funding projects designed to reduce damage from future storms and flooding.
More than $12.6 million of the funding comes through FEMA's Public Assistance Program. The program helps state and local governments pay for repairs to roads, public buildings and other critical infrastructure, along with reimbursing disaster-related expenses tied to public health and safety.
One Missouri project on the list will bring more than $498,000 to Blue Mound Township in Vernon County. The funding will help repair or replace damaged road surfaces and drainage ditches.
Other approved projects include more than $3 million for the City of Rock Valley, Iowa, to demolish flood-damaged homes, more than $2.8 million for park repairs in Omaha, Nebraska, and more than $118,000 to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management for disaster management costs.
FEMA also approved more than $3.9 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Those funds are used to help communities prepare for future disasters by supporting projects such as flood protection, safe rooms, drainage improvements and infrastructure upgrades.
Among those projects are more than $3.4 million to acquire 26 flood-damaged homes in Spencer, Iowa, and nearly $400,000 for a community safe room in Fremont, Nebraska.
FEMA officials said the agency works directly with states on hazard mitigation projects, allowing state and local leaders to determine where the funding is needed most.
The agency says the latest funding is part of its ongoing effort to help communities recover from disasters while strengthening roads, buildings and other infrastructure before the next severe weather event arrives.
(Information provided by FEMA)
