KC Reporter

Today, Governor Mike Kehoe formally requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration for federal assistance for 26 Missouri counties affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from March 30 to April 8. Six fatalities have been linked to the severe weather during this period.

Governor Kehoe stated, "Missouri has repeatedly been hit hard by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding this year and the result has been widespread damage and destruction of homes, private property, and public infrastructure." He emphasized the significant impact of these natural disasters, "While Missourians and faith-based and volunteer organizations have been supporting their neighbors and local and state government are working hard at recovery, the cost of these efforts – often because of repeated damage in the same counties – is beyond the capacity of local communities and the state to bear in full."

This disaster request includes 18 counties already mentioned in a previous federal disaster request by Governor Kehoe on April 2, 2025. The current request for FEMA Individual Assistance covers 20 counties, aiming to provide support such as temporary housing, housing repairs, and replacement of damaged items and vehicles. The counties designated for Individual Assistance are Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cooper, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Vernon, Washington, and Wayne.

Additionally, Governor Kehoe seeks FEMA Public Assistance for 25 counties. This assistance would help local governments and nonprofit organizations tackle emergency response and recovery costs and repair public infrastructure. The counties listed for this assistance include Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cooper, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, and Webster.

Joint damage assessments by FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local officials have estimated more than $25.5 million in costs associated with emergency response and infrastructure damage.

For those residents with needs left unmet, the United Way and American Red Cross are available for assistance. Further details and resources regarding disaster recovery efforts in Missouri can be accessed at recovery.mo.gov.