President Donald Trump has approved Missouri’s request for a federal disaster declaration amid the coronavirus crisis, Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday evening.
The news comes after Parson earlier this week called for the president to agree to the major disaster declaration for the entire state in order to receive greater federal assistance.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, the president has approved Parson’s request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program to be utilized to reimburse eligible expenditures made by local governments, nonprofits and the state for emergency protective measures by first responders and others who are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.
At this time, the governor’s request for federal disaster unemployment assistance and crisis counseling are still under review, the statement noted.
Also under review is a request for federal hazard mitigation assistance to identify and reduce long-term risks associated with natural disasters.
“I appreciate the President acting quickly on my disaster declaration request and the commitment of federal resources as we battle this unprecedented public health and economic threat to Missourians,” Parson said in a statement. “As I’ve said throughout our COVID-19 response effort, we will continue to pursue every way possible to adapt and deliver additional resources to help protect the health of Missourians and promote long-term recovery.”
Statewide, at least 502 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the state department of health announced earlier Thursday. Eight people have died from the disease.
Kaitlyn Schwers covers breaking news and crime at night for The Kansas City Star. Originally from Willard, Mo., she spent nearly three years reporting in Arkansas and Illinois before returning to Missouri and joining The Star in 2017.
