Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe recently announced the extension of the State of Emergency through August 31, in response to ongoing recovery efforts from catastrophic weather events. Governor Kehoe's executive order was first issued on March 14, and has been extended multiple times due to continued severe weather, according to an update published by the Governor's Office. The state has been assisting with recovery operations, which include federal aid approved by President Donald Trump and contributions by faith-based and volunteer groups.
As part of the relief efforts, Governor Kehoe signed Senate Bill 1 into law, securing $100 million for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to aid the City of St. Louis in the aftermath of the May 16 tornado. Assistance from FEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) totaling more than $22 million has benefited over 4,600 families in St. Louis and Scott counties, "making a tremendous difference as we move forward together as a state," Governor Kehoe stated, as noted in a release from Governor's Office.
The Missouri National Guard played an instrumental role in debris removal in St. Louis, managing the equivalent of over 200 football fields of debris piled one foot high. Governor Kehoe’s series of executive orders reflect the administration's commitment to recovery and reconstruction efforts as the state endures more rounds of flooding and storms, especially in Southwest Missouri.
For residents seeking disaster assistance, there are eight Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) currently open across Missouri. Information on these centers, including locations and application processes, can be found on the FEMA website. The quickest way to apply is through the official site at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline. For those affected by the events of March 14-15, the deadline to apply for aid is July 22, while the deadline for the May 16 victims is August 11, as further detailed in the Governor’s announcement.
