By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Governor Jay Nixon is asking President Obama to declare 22 Missouri counties as a major disaster area following last week's winter storm.
Nixon told an audience of statewide county officials in Jefferson City that Missouri has suffered around $128 million in damages.
"We still have thousands and thousands and thousands of poles on the ground...we have thousands and thousands and thousands of people still without power," Nixon said.
Nixon is also seeking a waiver of at least some, if not all, of the 25 percent matching funds that state and local governments usually have to pay.
He also told the audience that residents in storm-ravaged areas are on the whole bearing up well.
"We have not seen the problems that have arisen in other states on looting, we have not seen the problems of lack of volunteers...no matter where you live in this state, no matter where you go to (church) service this weekend, I'd ask that as that plate passes, that you put just a little bit extra in (for) the faith-based community down there, cooking in our shelters...providing shelters," Nixon said.
More than 13,000 homes and businesses in Missouri's storm-damaged counties are without power as of this afternoon (Friday, 2/6).