On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and five representatives of the Missouri congressional delegation, along with both Missouri senators, sent a letter to President Trump urging immediate approval of Governor Mike Kehoe’s request for a major disaster declaration following the deadly and destructive storms that struck the St. Louis region on May 16.
“A major disaster declaration would unlock vital federal assistance to support these operations, including public assistance for emergency protective measures and infrastructure repair, individual assistance for displaced and impacted residents, and hazard mitigation assistance to help reduce the risk of future disasters,” the letter stated.
“These resources are essential to stabilizing affected communities and safeguarding public health and safety.”
On Sunday, Kehoe made an urgent plea to President Donald Trump asking approval for a major disaster declaration that will provide federal assistance to St. Louis, St. Louis County and six southeast Missouri counties hit by deadly storms earlier this month.
The request to Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Kehoe said, will provide funding for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs for people impacted by the storms.
President Trump approved another major disaster assistance request for the state on Friday for “supplement recovery efforts” in areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes on March 14-15, 2025. That request includes both assistance to local governments and affected individuals and families. However, it is not related to the governor’s recent request for damages incurred from the May 16 historic EF-3 tornado and high winds that struck St. Louis, leaving five people dead and causing more than $1.6 billion in damages.
For that disaster, Kehoe asked Trump and FEMA to issue an Emergency Declaration for the St. Louis area impacted by the tornado. If approved, it will authorize direct federal assistance and up to $5 million in immediate funding for emergency protective measures and debris removal throughout the state. It will not include individual assistance, which must be issued through a major disaster declaration.
FEMA completed its preliminary damage assessments on Friday, just one week after the devastating tornado struck the city.
The assessments are essential in documenting the extent of damage and determining whether the state met the qualifications for a broader disaster declaration, which will, theoretically, unlock long-term federal aid, including individual financial assistance. Mayor Cara Spencer said that FEMA crews are expected to return this week for further logistical work.
The storm’s winds, which officials estimate reached speeds of 150 mph, hit blocks in north St. Louis especially hard. According to a Post-Dispatch analysis of U.S. Census data more than 70% of homeowners hit by the storms likely don’t have insurance.
Reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, city residents have seen hundreds of colored-coded notices tagged to their doors indicating the structural safety of damaged buildings. The signs do not necessarily mean those marked buildings will be condemned, nor do they mean that people are being forcibly evicted by the city.
According to a KSDK News report Friday, the city has placed more than 600 red notices on doors indicating “severe concerns” for those structures. Another 500 orange and yellow notices signify “moderate concern” while green notices indicate “little to no hazard.”
The red notices, especially, have some residents already traumatized by the storm in additional panic mode because they fear displacement without housing alternatives.
Mayor Spencer tried to address those concerns: “This is purely informational, and we will not be enforcing any laws as it relates to entering buildings, she told reporters Friday.
“We are not condemning any buildings at this time.”
Ald. Sharon Tyus (5th Ward) also spoke to residents’ concerns but added that the process of assessing damaged buildings is crucial.
“The city does not want to condemn, because that’s been a (historically) bad word; but there are some buildings that will ultimately have to be condemned,” Tyus told KSDK, adding: “We do not have enough places for people to shelter in the city, but I’m hoping that this is a regional thing, a metropolitan thing, and people will help us out.”
Regarding additional help, on Monday, Kehoe requested that Trump approve an additional major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to St. Louis City and County and six southeast Missouri counties – Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne – in response to the severe storms and tornadoes.
Keho also announced that 41 members of the Missouri National Guard of the 35th Engineer Brigade has been deployed to affected areas “to support the key mission of debris removal and sorting in support of St. Louis City’s recovery timeline.”
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Has been coordinating with local officials, volunteer and faith-based organizations to identify needs and assist impacted families and individuals.
For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
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