Jefferson City - On May 23, 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to participate in joint assessments of damage to public buildings and infrastructure as well as the cost of debris removal in St. Louis City and St. Louis and Scott counties as a result of the May 16 severe storms and tornadoes.

“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,” Governor Kehoe said. “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.”    

Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local officials in each community. Beginning Wednesday, May 28, six teams will survey and verify damage to determine if Public Assistance can be requested from FEMA. Public Assistance to local governments and qualifying nonprofits helps with the cost of debris removal; the repair of damaged roads, public buildings and other public infrastructure; and the reimbursement of emergency response costs.

SEMA continues to coordinate with local officials and volunteer and faith-based partners to identify needs and assist impacted families and individuals. Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or www.211helps.org or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.