In a Monday letter, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) called on the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to immediately begin assessing and responding to damage resulting from the historic flooding across large portions of Missouri.
“As you are likely aware, devastating flooding in the state has severely damaged a significant area,” Blunt said in the letter. “The flooding continues to take a significant toll on Missouri families, displacing many and forcing small businesses to close their doors against rising waters.”
The SBA announced on Tuesday that it would begin a preliminary damage assessment on Thursday in coordination with the State of Missouri and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Missouri’s small businesses are the cornerstone of our state’s economy, and I will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to recover from this historic flooding,” Blunt said in the letter. “I am pleased that the SBA will soon begin assessing the damage, and I urge the agency to provide the individual assistance necessary to help our small business owners re-open their doors.”
Blunt also met last week with military personnel and local officials in Perry County, Cape Girardeau and St. Charles to assess flood damage and discuss efforts to keep citizens in the state safe.