Missouri asks for federal help in tornado cleanups

By AP/KWMU

Washington, DC – U.S Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent are asking President Bush to approve Missouri's request for a federal disaster declaration for storm damage.

Talent said he and Bond asked Bush to approve Governor Matt Blunt's request for aid quickly so local officials can proceed with cleanup efforts.

The estimate of damage is in the millions after tornadoes, hail, and flooding moved through Missouri. Nine people died in Missouri as a result of the storms.

Gov. Blunt has now issued three executive order related to the storm cleanup. The third will allow the Department of Natural Resources to grant waivers to hasten recovery efforts. That means DNR will be able to waive laws and rules related to waste disposal and open burning to get rid of debris.

Blunt's two orders on Monday declared disaster areas in the state, and authorized the Missouri National Guard to help in the cleanup.