Gov. Kehoe requests federal assistance for counties affected by April 29 storms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Multiple counties in southwest Missouri that received damage from the April 29 tornadoes and severe storms may be able to receive some disaster relief.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is asking for the federal government to issue a federal disaster declaration and provide aid to the counties of Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald and Newton in southwest Missouri, as well as Washington County in the St. Louis metro area.
Kehoe says he is requesting FEMA assistance to help local governments and nonprofits cover the costs of documented damage and the emergency response, which is estimated at over $16.5 million.
Some of the damage documented by FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration local officials includes an elementary school, a MoDOT facility and various damage to public infrastructure.
More severe weather pummels the central US as thousands recover from deadly tornadoes
'This season's weather pattern has brought one destructive severe storm after another to Missouri, and the April 29 storms led to widespread damage in six counties – damage that is simply beyond their capabilities and those of the state to sustain without federal assistance,' Governor Kehoe said in a news release. 'Missourians are rallying to rebuild and support one another and will continue to do so as we now respond to the latest deadly and highly destructive storms that swept across the state on Friday, May 16.'
Kehoe has previously requested a disaster declaration from deadly storms from March 14-15 in 28 counties and March 30-April 8 that affected 26 counties. Both declarations are still awaiting federal approval. Kehoe says he has also taken actions to speed up the arrival of federal assistance from the storms that hit the St. Louis area and southeast Missouri on Friday, May 16.
Missouri residents who still have unmet needs are recommended to contact United Way by dialing 211 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. More information about Missouri disaster recovery efforts can be found at recovery.mo.gov.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
At Least 4 People Dead, Multiple Others Missing After Nearly 30-Minute Rainstorm Causes Devastation in West Virginia
At least four people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in West Virginia Multiple inches of rain reportedly fell in the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure "I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this," a local emergency management director saidFour people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in northern West Virginia. During a press conference on Sunday, June 15, Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed that at least four people were dead and at least four more had been reported missing after a rainstorm hit the area the night prior. 'This is a very difficult time for Ohio County and West Virginia,' Morrisey said during the broadcast, which was streamed online. CBS affiliate WTRF reported that 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure. The Ohio County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now taking part in rescue efforts to help find the missing people, as well as identify others who have not yet been reported missing, Gov. Morrisey said. Lou Vargo, the county's emergency management director, said at the press conference that two missing people were found after the flooding began on the evening of June 14. He added that 19 "swift water rescues" were also performed. Gov. Morrisey has declared a state of emergency in the county, and the National Guard may be asked to take part in recovery efforts, he said during the press conference. CBS News reported that cars were pulled into overflowing waterways, people climbed into trees for safety and one fire broke out during the flash flood on June 14. "It happened so quickly and so fast," Vargo said during the conference, adding, "I've been doing this for 35 years. I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this." "We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped," he continued. "During this time, we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways, where we couldn't respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage." Police spokesperson Phillip Stahl told WTRF that the flooding was also unlike anything he had seen in the area. 'The creeks rose pretty quickly,' Stahl explained. 'There was a massive amount of debris — debris that most people have never seen in their lives. But that was going down the creek. There were boats going down the creek sheds, furniture, gas tank, hot water tanks, conex boxes [shipping containers]. It was a pretty unbelievable sight to see.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Morrisey added during the press conference that damage assessments will begin on Monday, June 16. As of 2 p.m. on June, about 2,500 people were still without power, residents in the town of Apple Grove did not have access to water and more than a dozen bridges and roads were closed throughout the county. Ohio County EMA shared a list of resources for residents, including information about where to report missing persons, where to bring donations and where an emergency overnight shelter is located. 'My number one priority and that of everyone on our team, and those in the local community — it's to identify the missing individuals,' Gov. Morrisey said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Four killed, four missing after flash flooding in Western Virginia
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Four people have been killed and four more are missing after flash flooding in Western Virginia, the state's governor said on Sunday. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey told reporters that about 3 to 4 inches of rain fell in less than an hour, causing Saturday's flooding in Ohio county, in the northern part of the state. "There is a lot of rain that has hit in a short period of time. We also know that there could be more rain coming soon," Morrisey said. "Please don't get out onto the road," he added. Morrisey said his office had been in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
At Least 4 People Dead, Multiple Others Missing After Nearly 30-Minute Rainstorm Causes Devastation in West Virginia
At least four people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in West Virginia Multiple inches of rain reportedly fell in the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure "I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this," a local emergency management director saidFour people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in northern West Virginia. During a press conference on Sunday, June 15, Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed that at least four people were dead and at least four more had been reported missing after a rainstorm hit the area the night prior. 'This is a very difficult time for Ohio County and West Virginia,' Morrisey said during the broadcast, which was streamed online. CBS affiliate WTRF reported that 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure. The Ohio County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now taking part in rescue efforts to help find the missing people, as well as identify others who have not yet been reported missing, Gov. Morrisey said. Lou Vargo, the county's emergency management director, said at the press conference that two missing people were found after the flooding began on the evening of June 14. He added that 19 "swift water rescues" were also performed. Gov. Morrisey has declared a state of emergency in the county, and the National Guard may be asked to take part in recovery efforts, he said during the press conference. CBS News reported that cars were pulled into overflowing waterways, people climbed into trees for safety and one fire broke out during the flash flood on June 14. "It happened so quickly and so fast," Vargo said during the conference, adding, "I've been doing this for 35 years. I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this." "We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped," he continued. "During this time, we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways, where we couldn't respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage." Police spokesperson Phillip Stahl told WTRF that the flooding was also unlike anything he had seen in the area. 'The creeks rose pretty quickly,' Stahl explained. 'There was a massive amount of debris — debris that most people have never seen in their lives. But that was going down the creek. There were boats going down the creek sheds, furniture, gas tank, hot water tanks, conex boxes [shipping containers]. It was a pretty unbelievable sight to see.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Morrisey added during the press conference that damage assessments will begin on Monday, June 16. As of 2 p.m. on June, about 2,500 people were still without power, residents in the town of Apple Grove did not have access to water and more than a dozen bridges and roads were closed throughout the county. Ohio County EMA shared a list of resources for residents, including information about where to report missing persons, where to bring donations and where an emergency overnight shelter is located. 'My number one priority and that of everyone on our team, and those in the local community — it's to identify the missing individuals,' Gov. Morrisey said. Read the original article on People
