Missouri tornado aftermath: FEMA joins state in crucial damage assessments

In the wake of the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that swept through Missouri on March 14-15, Gov. Mike Kehoe has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments for public infrastructure across 25 counties.

This move marks a critical step in the process of seeking a federal disaster declaration, which would unlock much-needed resources for recovery efforts, according to a press release from his office.

Assessing the Damage

The storms left a trail of destruction, severely impacting roads, bridges, and other critical public infrastructure.

Kehoe emphasized the importance of these assessments, stating, "The State Emergency Management Agency has been on the ground for several days helping local officials document damage, collect cost estimates and substantiate the need for federal Public Assistance."

The joint PDAs, set to begin Tuesday, March 25, will involve six teams comprising representatives from FEMA, SEMA, and local emergency management officials. Their task is to verify documented damage and determine eligibility for Public Assistance, which would provide federal aid for the repair and replacement of damaged infrastructure.

The counties included in the assessments are Benton, Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Carter, Dent, Dunklin, Franklin, Gentry, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Wayne, and Wright. Additional counties may be added as more damage information becomes available.

Support for Individuals and Communities

In addition to public infrastructure assessments, PDAs for Individual Assistance have already begun.

This assistance aims to support eligible residents with temporary housing, housing repairs, and the replacement of damaged belongings and vehicles.

The State Emergency Operations Center remains active, coordinating with local officials, state agencies, and volunteer organizations to address the needs of affected families and individuals.

For those requiring debris removal services, the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at (844) 965-1386 connects residents with volunteers from local relief organizations. While services are free, assistance is not guaranteed due to high demand. The hotline will remain active through Friday, March 28.

For more information on the ongoing recovery efforts, visit Governor Kehoe Expands Joint Damage Assessment Request