After a series of severe storms and tornadoes ripped through St. Louis and the southeastern region of Missouri on May 16, Governor Mike Kehoe updated the public on the ongoing recovery operations. According to a statement from the Governor's Office, the damage is extensive with seven reported fatalities and significant disruption to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The entire state apparatus, including local and state officials, is engaged in the response efforts.
In light of the disaster, Kehoe extended Missouri's State of Emergency declaration, enabling responders and emergency teams to act quickly. "Friday’s severe storms and tornadoes caused devastation in the St. Louis region and areas of southeast Missouri, took the lives of seven people, resulted in thousands of homes, businesses, and public infrastructure being damaged or destroyed, and left tens of thousands without power," Kehoe said, emphasizing the scale of the destructive event. Damage assessments are underway, with SEMA regional coordinators working closely with local managers to evaluate needs and coordinate resources for shelter, debris removal, and other critical services, as per the Governor's Office.
There are also efforts to secure federal aid. Kehoe has been in talks with President Donald Trump and other federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FEMA Acting Administrator David Richardson, seeking federal support. The Governor requested an Emergency Declaration for the state and, if approved, this would release up to $5 million to help with immediate storm aftermath needs, as well as permit Direct Federal Assistance (DFA).
Moreover, Kehoe asked FEMA to participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) to support additional federal assistance. The assessment teams, set to begin their work on May 21, include FEMA and SEMA representatives alongside local emergency management personnel, tasked to determine the eligibility of residents for federal support through Individual Assistance which would aid in covering costs for housing repairs, belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses. Concurrently, evaluations for roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure continue, and may lead to future PDAs for Public Assistance.
The federal Emergency Declaration sought by Governor Kehoe is meant to buttress state operations in safeguarding public health and safety in the aftermath of the disaster. It does not impede the pursuit of a Major Disaster Declaration, which could offer even broader support including both Individual Assistance for affected homeowners and renters, and Public Assistance to help local governments with the costs of emergency response, debris clearance, and infrastructure repair.
