Governor Mike Kehoe has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will join in assessing damage to public infrastructure and debris removal costs in St. Louis City, as well as St. Louis and Scott counties. This follows severe storms and tornadoes on May 16.
Governor Kehoe expressed confidence in the joint preliminary damage assessment (PDA) teams’ efficiency, stating, “The joint preliminary damage assessment (PDA) teams that reviewed the damage to homes and personal property this week worked extremely efficiently to document the destruction that we are confident will lead to a federal Major Disaster Declaration to assist individuals and families.” He added, “Now, we will be jointly cataloguing the same type of evidence to support a potential request to FEMA for necessary funding to rebuild and restore the infrastructure our citizens rely on.”
Starting Wednesday, May 28, six PDA teams comprising representatives from FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and local officials will survey the affected areas. Their goal is to verify if Public Assistance can be requested from FEMA. This assistance would help local governments and qualifying nonprofits with debris removal costs, repairs of damaged roads and buildings, as well as reimbursement for emergency response efforts.
SEMA is working alongside local officials and volunteer groups to address needs within impacted communities. Missourians requiring assistance are advised to reach out through United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting www.211helps.org or contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
