Governor Kehoe Recognizes United Effort to Support St. Louis Recovery as One-Year Anniversary of EF-3 Tornado Approaches
[Jefferson City, MO] – As the one-year anniversary of the devastating May 16, 2025, tornado that heavily damaged St. Louis approaches, Governor Mike Kehoe today recognized the state, local, and federal efforts to help the city recover.
“From the moment the deadly tornado touched down, the State of Missouri’s assistance to St. Louis has matched the spirit of the residents who rallied to support neighbors and rebuild in the aftermath of the tragic loss of life and tremendous adversity,” Governor Kehoe said. “As a proud product of North St. Louis City, I am particularly appreciative of how our state agencies, the Missouri General Assembly, and local nonprofits and businesses continue to come together to support the people of St. Louis.”
The state and federal recovery effort totals well over $350 million, and includes:
- $147 million in FEMA and state assistance went to over 9,400 St. Louis City households for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of essential property, and the repair and rebuilding of public infrastructure.
- An additional $23.8 million in state funds for direct assistance to St. Louisans impacted by the tornado for home repairs, rental assistance, and temporary housing through a state appropriation to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund.
- The State of Missouri’s unprecedented budgetary commitment of $100 million in designated funding for St. Louis’ recovery, including for the demolition and removal of debris from private property in the city’s tornado destruction zone, and $1.25 million to the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. for direct relief to victims.
- The recovery of over $46 million by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance on behalf of insured Missourians who were initially denied payments by insurance companies.
- A total of $36.4 million in low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Association to homeowners, renters, and businesses in the City of St. Louis that were impacted by the tornado.
The state government built Missouri’s first-ever Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) program from scratch to remove debris from private property and clear the way for the removal of FEMA-eligible severely damaged homes. Working with the City of St. Louis, the team has navigated mandatory environmental safeguards, including the abatement of hazardous materials like asbestos and lead, to ensure that demolition does not compromise air quality or public health. Seven specialized contracts have been secured, including three for demolition and debris removal, a dedicated monitoring service for strict site oversight, and three consulting agreements to meet historical preservation requirements.
Through May 7, 2026, SEMA has received 109 demolition packets for properties in the St. Louis City Private Property Debris Removal program. SEMA will continue to review these submissions as they are received from the city.
For non-FEMA eligible tornado-damaged properties, $10 million in state funding from Senate Bill 1 was allocated to the city for a pilot project to cover demolition costs for 120 properties along major street corridors.
“Debris removal is underway and we recognize the multiple barriers and obstacles that our team has overcome in this process. In an area where many families did not have insurance and many properties did not qualify for federal assistance, it was critical for us to find a path forward to rebuild and make progress,” continued Governor Kehoe. “On behalf of my office and our state agencies, I want to thank Mayor Spencer and city partners, as well as Missouri’s federal delegation and FEMA for their continued efforts to make St. Louis whole again, and even better than before.”
Missouri’s response and recovery efforts over the past year have also included ongoing coordinated support across numerous state departments and agencies:
Public Safety and Emergency Response
The Department of Public Safety, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and Missouri State Highway Patrol coordinated emergency response operations, managed FEMA recovery programs, supported infrastructure repair projects, and assisted thousands of impacted residents. Missouri Task Force 1 conducted structural searches and assessments immediately following the storm, while the Missouri Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation (SAVE) Coalition helped inspect more than 6,700 damaged structures across St. Louis.
The Missouri National Guard deployed engineer teams to assist with debris collection, transportation, and removal operations throughout impacted neighborhoods.
Housing, Cleanup, and Infrastructure Recovery
SEMA and the Office of Administration partnered to implement Missouri’s first-ever Private Property Debris Removal program, helping build the path toward clearing debris and demolishing unsafe structures while coordinating recovery operations with local and federal partners.
The Department of Natural Resources provided regulatory flexibility and technical assistance to help ensure debris removal efforts were conducted safely and efficiently, including support related to hazardous materials and asbestos inspection.
The Missouri Housing Development Commission committed significant housing resources to support displaced residents, with more than 240 households already receiving assistance through community service providers.
Family and Community Support Services
The Department of Mental Health deployed the Behavioral Health Strike team and Show Me Hope crisis counselors to provide immediate and ongoing psychological support for impacted residents in shelters, disaster assistance centers, and throughout the community.
The Department of Social Services secured federal approval to replace SNAP benefits lost during the disaster, resulting in more than $1.6 million in benefits reissued to over 9,200 Missourians.
The Department of Revenue operated a mobile office, which assisted over 300 impacted residents with driver license and motor vehicle documentation.
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development assisted displaced workers through disaster unemployment assistance and workforce recovery efforts tied to cleanup and rebuilding projects.
Consumer Protection and Insurance Assistance
The Department of Commerce and Insurance continues assisting storm victims navigating the insurance claims process. In 2025 alone, the department recovered a record $46.2 million statewide on behalf of Missouri consumers through mediation efforts and provided direct assistance to thousands of impacted residents at recovery events across the region.
As the one-year mark of the devasting tornado approaches, it is common for people to experience an increase in anxiety, fear, fatigue, grief, and more. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is free, confidential, and available 24/7 via text or telephone call for anyone experiencing distress or needing additional support. The DDH can be reached at 1-800-985-5990. To find local crisis counseling visit MoShowMeHope.org.
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Missouri receives FEMA Show Me Hope Crisis Counseling grant to help natural disaster survivors
[Jefferson City, MO] – In response to the tornados experienced on May 16, 2025, the Show Me Hope Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) grant will fund psychological services to help build hope and resiliency in St. Louis and Sikeston area survivors. Show Me Hope crisis counselors will teach coping and stress management skills to anyone dealing with anxiety and uncertainty from the disasters, as well as provide educational materials and resources.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the CCP grant to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) this week to deliver outreach services through the participating Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs): Bootheel Behavioral Health, BJC Behavioral Health, People’s Health Center, Places for People, and Queen of Peace. The St. Louis Health Department along with Freedom Community Center, InPower Institute, and Restorative Justice Movement will also participate.
Individuals and families impacted by the disaster, known as FEMA 4877, who live in Scott County, St. Louis County, and City of St. Louis will have access to Show Me Hope services.
Show Me Hope crisis counselors will connect survivors with local mental health resources. However, any Missourian experiencing stress or emotional strain because of the disasters can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-985-5990.
The CCP is a short-term disaster relief program funded by FEMA to assist individuals and families in recovery from disasters through the following goals:
- Reach large numbers of people affected by disasters through face-to-face outreach to shelters, homes, community events and other locations,
- Assess the emotional needs of survivors and make referrals to traditional behavioral health services when necessary
- Identify tangible needs and link survivors to community resources and disaster relief services
- Provide emotional support, education, basic crisis counseling, and connection to familial and community support systems
- Train and educate CCP staff and other community partners about disaster reactions, appropriate interventions, and CCP services
- Develop partnerships with local disaster and other organizations
- Work with local stakeholders to promote community resilience and recovery
- Collect and evaluate data to ensure quality services and justify program efforts
- Leave behind a permanent legacy of improved coping skills, educational and resource materials, and enhanced community connections.
For local assistance, contact the Show Me Hope CMHC below:
- Scott County: Bootheel Behavioral Health – 573-471-0800
- St. Louis County: BJC Behavioral Health – 314-747-7491
- St. Louis City:
- People’s Health Center: assisting children under 18 – 314-367-7848
- Places for People: assisting the uninsured and unhoused – 314-535-5600
- Queen of Peace: assisting women and families – 314-531-0511
- BJC Behavioral Health – 314-747-7491
- St. Louis Health Department – 314-657-1585,
- Freedom Community Center – 314-827-3837,
- InPower Institute – 314-833-9312,
- Restorative Justice Movement – 314-391-9188
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