Governor Kehoe Requests Federal Disaster Declaration in Response to Devastating May 16 Severe Storms and Tornadoes
MAY 26, 2025
Jefferson City — Governor Mike Kehoe has requested that President Donald J. Trump approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and six southeast Missouri counties – Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne – in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that devastated these areas on May 16, claiming seven lives and causing widespread destruction of homes, businesses and public infrastructure.
“Just as our first responders, citizens, and faith-based and volunteer organizations have responded with great dispatch and compassion, our state and local emergency management teams have quickly assessed and documented the overwhelming destruction of the May 16 severe storms. It is abundantly clear that Missouri families need rapid federal assistance to rebuild homes and lives, and to continue moving forward,” Governor Kehoe said. “We are requesting federal assistance to quickly get needed funds flowing to individuals and families as we prepare to document the need for federal assistance to remove debris and repair damaged infrastructure in the days ahead.”
Based on the documented damage obtained by joint federal, state and local teams on May 21 and 22, Governor Kehoe yesterday sent a letter requesting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance for Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, St. Louis, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne counties and the independent City of St. Louis related to the destruction caused by the severe storm systems that produced tornadoes, straight-line winds, large hail, heavy rains, flooding, and flash flooding in the state on May 16.
FEMA Individual Assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses.
As part of the state’s continuing support to the City of St. Louis, on May 24, Governor Kehoe announced that the Missouri National Guard will activate and deploy up to 41 members of the 35th Engineer Brigade to the affected area of St. Louis to support the key mission of debris removal and sorting in support of St. Louis City’s recovery timeline. The city’s request to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for the Guard’s debris removal support was received on the evening of May 23. Service members are scheduled to be on site starting on Wednesday, May 28. Since May 20, a Missouri National Guard Liaison Officer (LNO) has been assisting the City of St. Louis with evaluating and advising local officials on potential appropriate missions.
SEMA continues to coordinate with local officials and volunteer and faith-based partners to identify needs and assist impacted families and individuals. Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or www.211helps.org or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.
State’s Pursuit of Federal Public Assistance Continues to Move Forward
Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams are scheduled to review and document damage to public infrastructure damage, and emergency response and debris removal costs in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and Scott County beginning on May 28, in anticipation of the Governor seeking federal Public Assistance for those jurisdictions. If approved, Public Assistance would allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.
Governor Kehoe first declared a State of Emergency on March 14, 2025, through Executive Order 25-19 in preparation for severe weather. The State of Emergency declaration in Executive Order 25-19 was subsequently extended by Executive Order 25-22 and Executive Order 25-23.
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