COLUMBIA, MO (February 15, 2011) -

The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) continues to collect preliminary associated costs of the recent blizzard event that occurred during the week of January 31, 2011. 

“The actual snow event was the easy part for this office,” says OEM Director Zim Schwartze.  “We now are working with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and ultimately Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to ascertain all approved costs for the snow event we dealt with a few weeks ago.  This is a very long process and can be very complicated based on strict guidelines and rules that must be followed for possible reimbursement.”

At this time, the preliminary figures for the entire Boone County area have been estimated at nearly $1.7 million.  This includes many different entities such as the City of Columbia, Boone County, school districts, hospitals, universities/colleges, and the municipalities within the County.  These numbers are rough estimates and detailed information is not available at this time. 

“I will not be able to comment on specifics by department, agency or entity at this time.  The initial phase is to gather preliminary estimated costs from those in our area that were affected, and this is a continuing process.  The folks in my office have done an amazing job in gathering this needed information so far.  I will be meeting with SEMA officials this week to verify our estimates and to make sure we are claiming the appropriate expenditures,” says Director Schwartze.

The request for Public Assistance after an emergency/disaster under the federal Stafford Act has many steps (please see the attached Public Assistance Process summary and full Stafford Act for further information).  At this time, it has been confirmed that Boone County did receive a record snowfall and have exceeded our county’s per capita cost threshold.  The State of Missouri has also confirmed they have reached their per capita threshold for the Governor to move forward and declare a ‘declaration of major disaster’. 

Only governmental agencies as well as tax supported special districts are eligible for assistance under this program.  The costs that may be included are for snow removal, supplies, equipment, personnel, and/or damages.  We are asking any eligible Boone County agency listed in the categories above that we have not gathered costs for already to contact the Office of Emergency Management at at (573) 874-7400 or e-mail the office at Zim@GoColumbiaMo.com or mdkirkpa@GoColumbiaMo.com.   

Media inquiries are more than welcome. Please contact Director Zim Schwartze for interviews and comments today, February 15^th, as she will be available between 1:30-3:00 pm at 17 North 7^th Street, Suite A.