The Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center was created by the nonprofit Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the nation's largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. Since the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, LSC has developed an extensive coordinated response program to assist people affected by disasters, and LSC grantees have taken the lead in helping and successfully representing disaster survivors.
Heartland Flood Help is a project of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans in the nation. LSC operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.
In the event of a natural disaster, the Attorney General offers the following tips to assist consumers.
Construction Fraud is common following a disaster. To avoid this:
Hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters devastate communities and threaten the financial well-being of residents. The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) works at the national and state levels to develop innovative policy solutions, train and support local advocates, and educate consumers about their financial options.
To find out more, click: National Consumer Law Center
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This manual was prepared to better orient volunteer lawyers with the pro bono Disaster Legal Service (DLS) program for victims of natural disasters occurring in the state of Missouri. Through this program, volunteer attorneys provide legal services to eligible individuals following a major disaster declaration. The text of this manual can be read relatively quickly. We encourage you to read the entire manual and to introduce your colleagues so that they will become familiar with the program and volunteer to help.
To view the manual, click on the link below.j
SEMA's mission is to protect the lives and property of all Missourians when major disasters threaten public safety in any city, county or region of Missouri. SEMA responds to two types of disasters - natural and those caused by man. Natural disasters are major snow and/or ice storms, floods, tornadoes and/or severe weather, as well as a potential major earthquake along Missouri's New Madrid Fault. Man-made disasters, also known as technological emergencies, may include hazardous material incidents, nuclear power plant accidents and other radiological hazards.
Flood and tornado survivors are encouraged to call "United Way 2-1-1” to connect with vital resources, such as legal assistance, shelter, clothing, and assistance with cleanup of homes and debris during a declared natural disaster.
Government and Nonprofit Organizations Roles in Major Natural Disaster Assistance in Missouri
When a natural disaster, such as flooding or tornados occur in Missouri and the President of the United States makes a major disaster declaration, the following governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations are available to assist the survivors of the disaster.
Roles of the Federal Government
What is Missouri Disaster Legal Assistance (MLDA)?
When a major disaster has been declared in Missouri, MDLA delivers free civil legal assistance on legal matters that result from the natural disaster. The MDLA is a service administered by the four legal aid programs in Missouri.
Missouri is frequently visited by natural disasters, such as ice storms, tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding. Since 1990, Missouri has received more than 35 federal major disaster declarations. It is the responsibility of the State Emergency Management Agency to work with local governments to ensure that all appropriate information is collected about the impact of disasters on local communities and then compile the information for the Governor. Depending on the event, the Governor may request that the President issue an emergency or major disaster declaration.