Flood disaster relief for Vernon County approved

Nevada Daily Mail

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt announced Wednesday the USDA has approved his request for disaster designation for Vernon County and five other counties, due to excessive rain and flooding that inundated the area in June and July.

Flooding occurred throughout Vernon County, causing U.S. 71 to be closed for two days due to water over the roadway, and flooding from the Osage River at Schell City reached its highest level since 1986, according to local residents. Many acres of farm land were dessimated and railroad track was ripped from its bed in the Schell City area as well. Roads were damaged and even while water still covered many rural roads, Vernon County officials were assessing the damage in an effort to secure funding through a disaster declaration.

"Summer flooding has had a disastrous impact in several counties and on many Missouri farm families. The designation will allow Missouri farmers to access some of the assistance they need."

In addition to Vernon County, Bates, Cass, Henry, Johnson, and St. Clair counties were declared primary disaster areas. Eight other counties were designated as "contiguous disaster counties, including Barton, Benton, Cedar, Hickory, Jackson, Lafayette, Pettis and Polk counties. These designations make farm operators eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Missouri Farm Service Agency, if eligibility requirements are met, according to a press release from the governor's office.

For more information about FSA loans, contact the Vernon County FSA at (417) 667-8137, or stop by the office at 102 W. Allison, Nevada.