Camden News

Several southwest Missouri counties are among counties in a natural disaster areas caused by excessive rain, strong winds and flooding from February through July, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The home of Patrick Heil was severely damaged by fire early Thursday morning. Richmond Fire Captain Brad Branson said the Camden home was 'fully involved' in flames when the Richmond Fire Department arrived on the scene, 'toned in at 5:42 a.m.' Branson said no one was at home when the fire broke out and there were no injuries.

The State Emergency Management Agency recently announced that Missourians will receive an additional $12 million in federal disaster assistance to help recovery efforts from natural disasters that hit the state during 2008.

'For our last distribution day, June 24, we had 44 families show up. That's up significantly,' said Pastor Fred Kelly of the Fleming Baptist Church where the Harvesters food is distributed for Ray County.