Federal disaster assistance has been extended to two additional Missouri counties that were hit hard by flooding and severe storms earlier this Spring.

Monday, Governor Jay Nixon announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency extended public disaster assistance to both Miller and Pettis counties.

This extension allows local governments in Miller and Pettis counties to seek assistance for the expenses associated with the severe storms and tornadoes that have affected Missouri since Mid-April, plus the tornado that hit Sedalia on May 25.

State officials said Miller County sustained about $230,000 in damage to public infrastructure. Close to $200,000 of that was damage donw to bridges and roads, including washouts from flooding in late May.

"For almost two months now, individual Missourians and local and county governments have faced extraordinary challenges from flooding, severe storms and tornadoes," Governor Nixon said. "These natural disasters have resulted in major expenses that could not be budgeted for. As Missourians rebuild from the historic Joplin tornado and other disasters, this important federal assistance will help us all keep moving forward together as we make our communities even stronger."

Since President Barack Obama first granted the Governor's request for a major disaster declaration on May 9, the following counties have been designated for individual assistance: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Howell, Jasper, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, Pettis, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, St. Francois, St. Louis, Stoddard, Stone and Taney.