President Bush declared half of Missouri a disaster area Thursday and that includes the City of Saint Louis.

The declaration includes 34 counties in the southwest portion of the state. Those are Barry, Barton, Camden, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, St. Clair, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster, and Wright.

This means federal assistance will soon be available for individuals and businesses, but first SEMA and FEMA need to conduct damage assessments.

Other help the state may receive from the government includes sandbags and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters to help with rescue efforts.