Governor Kehoe Requests Federal Disaster Declaration in Response to March 14-15 Severe Storms and Tornadoes

APRIL 2, 2025

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe requested that President Donald J. Trump approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance in a total of 28 counties in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that devastated Missouri March 14-15, claiming 13 lives and causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.

“The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local partners have been working in close coordination with FEMA to document damage in the areas impacted by these storms,” Governor Kehoe said. “Today, we are requesting a federal disaster declaration to support the affected communities and their recovery efforts. We are confident federal assistance will be forthcoming and greatly appreciate the critical work already being done by local response agencies and many volunteer partners to help Missourians in need.”

Based on the documented damage, Governor Kehoe is requesting FEMA Individual Assistance for the following 25 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Laclede, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Stoddard, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

Individual Assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses.  

Based on the documented damage and emergency response costs, Governor Kehoe is also requesting FEMA Public Assistance for the following 20 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Wayne.

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.

Joint damage assessments conducted by FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local officials estimate more than $26.9 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure.

Several Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs), one-stop shops for recovery resources, were hosted March 25 – April 1 in Rolla, Hartville, West Plains, Van Buren, Popular Bluff, Doniphan, Piedmont, Perryville, Florissant, and Arnold. These MARCs served over 2,873 impacted individuals from 1,171 households. Due to the potential for severe weather, the MARC previously scheduled to take place at Eagles Hall in Pacific (707 W. Congress St.) has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April 9 from 1-7 p.m.

Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 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, please visit recovery.mo.gov.

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