Governor Mike Kehoe

­­­­­­­­_____________________________________________________________________________________

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*May 19, 2025*

*Governor Kehoe Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington Counties for Destructive April 29 Severe Storms*

*JEFFERSON CITY *– Today, Governor Mike Kehoe requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to six counties that sustained major damage as a result of a cluster of severe storms that swept through the area and produced eight tornadoes on April 29. The counties are* Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton *and* Washington*.

“This season’s weather pattern has brought one destructive severe storm after another to Missouri, and the April 29 storms led to widespread damage in six counties – damage that is simply beyond their capabilities and those of the state to sustain without federal assistance,” *Governor Kehoe* said. “Missourians are rallying to rebuild and support one another and will continue to do so as we now respond to the latest deadly and highly destructive storms that swept across the state on Friday, May 16.”

Governor Kehoe is requesting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance based on documented damage and emergency response costs that exceed $16.5 million in Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington counties alone. Those cost estimates were gathered during joint damage assessments conducted by FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local officials and include damage to a public elementary school, a Missouri Department of Transportation facility, essential utility distribution lines, roads and other public infrastructure as well as debris removal.

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.

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 [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

As of May 19, there have now been four major storms in the state of Missouri. The following outlines the current status of Governor Kehoe's federal assistance requests:

_*March 14-15 Storms*_

*Status:*" Awaiting Federal Disaster Declaration approval [ [link removed] ]"

*Details: *On April 2, Governor 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.

 

_*March 30 – April 8 Storms*_

*Status: *"Awaiting Federal Disaster Declaration approval [ [link removed] ]"

*Details: *On May 1, Governor Kehoe requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance in a total of 26 counties in response to the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that caused widespread destruction across the state, resulting in six confirmed deaths.

 

_*April 29 Storms*_

*Status: *"Awaiting Federal Disaster Declaration approval"

*Details: *On May 19, Governor Kehoe requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to six counties that sustained major damage as a result of a cluster of severe storms that swept through the area and produced eight tornadoes on April 29.

 

_*May 16 Storms*_

*Status: *"FEMA to participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments [ [link removed] ]"

"     Sent request for federal Emergency Declaration to authorize Direct Federal Assistance and up to $5 million in immediate       funding to the state"

*Details: *On May 19, Governor Kehoe took two actions to expedite federal assistance to Missouri following the severe storms and tornadoes that struck the state on May 16, causing seven deaths and widespread damage in the St. Louis region and areas of southeast Missouri

###

________________________________________________________________________

*Contact: Gabby Picard*

Communications Director

Mobile: 573-536-6566

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov


________________________________________________________________________

  STAY CONNECTED
Follow us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]
  SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Your Profile [ [link removed] ]   |   Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]   |   Help [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Mike Kehoe · PO Box 720 · Jefferson City, MO 65102 · (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]