In a recent push for federal aid, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has reached out to President Donald Trump seeking a major disaster declaration. The assistance is sought for six counties—Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, and Washington—that were significantly damaged by severe storms and tornadoes on April 29. According to a statement released by the Governor's office, the storms have racked up costs exceeding $16.5 million, leading to a request for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance to aid in recovery efforts.
Hoping for a swift response from the higher echelons of government, the governor outlined the destruction that is "simply beyond" the state and affected communities' capabilities to bear without external support. Critical infrastructure such as roads, public buildings, and utility lines require urgent repair and debris removal. Misplaced among the tornadoes' terror, a public elementary school and a Missouri Department of Transportation facility were hurling into the fray of devastation as well, requiring significant federal assistance for recovery.
Local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies will be eligible for Federal assistance to recoup the costs of emergency services and infrastructure restoration if President Trump endorses the declaration, as reported by the Governor's Office. Resources are already being marshalled within the state, with entities like the United Way and the American Red Cross poised to provide immediate assistance to residents with unmet needs.
Missouri has been under the harsh gaze of nature recently, with this disaster marking the fourth major storm the state has had to face. Before even the debris could settle upon a grief-stricken landscape, the state was rocked by another set of deadly storms on May 16, further compounding the demand for aid. Details continue looming over of the ongoing situations in 28 other counties from prior disasters, as they, too, await the approval of requested Federal Disaster Declarations as per the Governor's earlier requests.
The cumulative effect of these back-to-back natural events has overwhelmed the response capacity of Missouri. Detailed information on the specific damage assessments and ongoing needs for state recovery efforts can be accessed through the Missouri recovery website.
