Press Releases

Luetkemeyer Announces Decision Restoring Federal Community Flood Assistance

Washington, DC, August 6, 2009
Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today announced that, after consultations with local stakeholders and members of the Missouri and Illinois Congressional Delegations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has reversed a controversial policy issued in February 2009 regarding the availability of flood assistance to river communities.
Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today announced that, after consultations with local stakeholders and members of the Missouri and Illinois Congressional Delegations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has reversed a controversial policy issued in February 2009 regarding the availability of flood assistance to river communities.
In a letter from FEMA, the federal agency said it would continue provide financial assistance to state and local governments for eligible work associated with debris removal and flood fighting activities.  The action is retroactive to February 25, 2009, when a revised policy went into effect.
The initial rules approved by FEMA in February stated that that local levee districts would no longer be allowed to tap into flood control money for the cleanup and repair of levees. Instead, flooding assistance money for those purposes would have fallen under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and would have required river communities to pay up to twice the level as before. At the time, Luetkemeyer raised concerns that the changes were never communicated to local communities in a timely manner.
“After much discussion with local and federal officials, I am extremely pleased to announce that there will be no gap in funding during times of disastrous flooding for our river communities who had initially faced the prospect of having to dip into scarce local funds to deal with flooding and reconstruction,” Luetkemeyer said. “FEMA’s decision to reverse their policy after working with local communities, our office and my colleagues in Congress will help ensure that our river communities are not left out in the cold.”
In FEMA’s letter, the federal agency said it would continue to work with the Corps of Engineers to address remaining questions about the revised policy and will issue a further revised version of the policy once the process is finalized. The final policy will be coordinated with the Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and others, FEMA said.
 Luetkemeyer’s concern about the impact of flooding in the 9th District was part of his ongoing commitment to river communities. Earlier this year, Luetkemeyer opposed the spring rises authorized by the Corps of Engineers that put significant stresses on our Missouri River communities.