PDA Requested For Grundy County To Determine Federal Aid Possibilities

Missouri Governor Mike Parson says the state has started the process for obtaining federal disaster assistance as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and fleooding which began impacting Missouri on July 29th.

A first step in the process is an assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for impacted counties. Grundy, Knox, Adair, Clark, and Scotland counties are among the 26 counties for which the state has requested a Preliminary Damage Assessment.

Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from, FEMA, SEMA, and local emergency managers who document storm damage and estimate recovery costs. Requesting joint PDAs is one of the first steps the state must take in order to request a federal major disaster declaration. Joint PDAs are being requested for FEMA Public Assistance. For Public Assistance, both state and county thresholds must be met in order for a county to be included in the request.

Last Friday, an EF-2 tornado in Baring, Missouri, located in Knox County, destroyed or caused major damage to more than 35 residences as well as the town’s post office, fire station, and several other buildings. More than 30 people were displaced from their homes. That same night, torrential rain in Adair County led to flash flooding and dozens of emergency calls. Hundreds of thousands of Missourians have lost power over the past month due to strong winds downing trees and utility poles.