ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — It's going to take up to $50 million to repair local levees on the Mississippi River after near historic flooding this year, that's just a drop in the bucket compared to what it's going to take to repair the levee systems along the Missouri River west of St. Louis and the Mississippi River to the south.
Corps of Engineers Maj. Gen. Scott Spellman says the cost of repairing the known damage to levees on the Missouri between Omaha, Neb. and St. Louis totals $1.9 billion and they still don't know what it will cost to for repairs between St. Louis and New Orleans.
During a House subcommittee hearing in Washington on Wednesday, Missouri Sen. Sam Graves asked Spellman if he has any idea what the total cost may be and he said he "does not have a good estimate" because there's still been a lot of rain in the area with more on the way this weekend.
Spellman testified that there are 160 breaches on the Missouri River between Omaha and St. Louis.
FEMA announces federal assistance for St. Louis-area victims of flooding
FEMA has authorized federal assistance for victims of area flooding and tornadoes.
That includes St. Charles, Lincoln, and Pike Counties in the St. Louis area. Boone and Cole Counties, the homes of Columbia and Jefferson City respectively, are also eligible.
FEMA spokesman John Mills says you can call FEMA directly at 1-800-621-3362 or go online to DisasterAssistance.gov to make a claim.
Gov. Mike Parson has said that almost 1,000 homes and 125 businesses were destroyed or heavily damaged by tornadoes and storms that hit the state in late May.
Missouri had asked for help in 41 counties. Mills says more counties could eventually become eligible for aid.