WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt (Mo.) sent a letter to President Obama urging him to grant Governor Jay Nixon's request to declare 64 counties in Missouri a federal disaster area due to the heavy snow that fell on the state in early February 2011. Specifically, the Governor has requested Public Assistance (including snow removal) for 62 affected counties, Public Assistance (not including snow removal) for two counties, and Hazard Mitigation grant assistance for the entire state. The senators stressed that federal assistance is essential to help Missouri communities recover from the severe winter storms.

"In light of the multiple disasters that have affected our state in the past twelve months, it is our hope that you will grant Governor Nixon's request in a prompt manner, to help state and local governments recover from this most recent disaster," the senators wrote.

Affected counties include Adair, Andrew, Audrain, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Dallas, DeKalb, Grundy, Henry, Hickory, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Pettis, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, St. Clair, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Sullivan, Vernon and Worth.

The full text of the letter is below.

March 3, 2011
The Honorable Barack Obama
President
The White House
Washington, DC 20005

Dear Mr. President:

Governor Jay Nixon, on March 1, 2011, requested a major disaster declaration for the State of Missouri as a result of the severe storm system and snowstorms which moved through the entire state from January 31 to February 5, 2011. This storm produced high winds, sleet, ice and heavy snow. The storm included white-out conditions that necessitated the closures of Interstate 70 from Kansas City to St. Louis and Interstate 44 from Springfield to the Oklahoma border. Areas across the state reported snow accumulations as high as 23 inches and ice accumulations of up to one inch. According to the National Weather Service and National Climatic Data Center, nearly half of Missouri's counties experienced record or near-record snowfall during this period. In light of this historic event, we respectfully urge your speedy approval of Governor Nixon's disaster declaration request.

Specifically, the Governor has requested Public Assistance (including snow removal) for 62 affected counties (of these the Governor has requested an additional 24 hours of snow removal for seven counties that meet FEMA criteria); Public Assistance (not including snow removal) for two counties; and Hazard Mitigation grant assistance for the entire state.

In light of the multiple disasters that have affected our state in the past twelve months, it is our hope that you will grant Governor Nixon's request in a prompt manner, to help state and local governments recover from this most recent disaster. Along with our fellow Missourians, we eagerly await your decision on this request for assistance.

Sincerely,

Claire McCaskill
United States Senator

Roy Blunt
United States Senator