Boone County News Release

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Boone County Included in Presidential Disaster Declaration

July 18, 2017 - Boone County has received notice that due to damages incurred as a function of flooding between April 28 to May 11 it has been included in the Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Missouri, declaration DR-4713. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected municipalities having sustained damages to public infrastructure during this period. Federal funds are expected to equal 75 percent, while the State of Missouri will contribute an additional 10 percent of the total dollar amount spent locally to recover from damages incurred during this flooding event.

It was determined that Boone County met the per person dollar amount required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the completion of a damage assessment in late June. This damage assessment reflected nearly $750,000 of documented cost associated with flood related damages. Municipalities and departments eligible for reimbursement included: Boone County (Public Works and Facilities Maintenance), The City of Columbia (Street Division), Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the University of Missouri. Each of these entities will be eligible for reimbursement of up to 85 percent of their cost to mitigate and repair damages.

Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill remarked "It's important that Boone County be aggressive in securing federal funds when available. Taxpayers of Boone County would be responsible for the entire cost if this were not the case." According to Commissioner Atwill, had the County not been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration, all expenses incurred for roadways and bridges in Boone County would have been the exclusive responsibility of Boone County taxpayers, "it further illustrates the importance of the Road and Bridge Tax that will be presented to voters for renewal this year."

Boone County Emergency Management will continue to work with those affected and with federal agencies to ensure a maximum amount of funds are reimbursed with federal dollars. Boone County was last included in a declaration in 2011.

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