Latest news with #StateEmergencyManagementAgency
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Governor Kehoe requests federal disaster declaration for March 14 storms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is asking for President Donald Trump to provide federal assistance for Missouri counties affected by the deadly storms that ripped through the state and killed 13 people from March 14-15. Kehoe is requesting FEMA assistance for 28 counties in the state, with damage assessments estimating that there is more than $26.9 million in emergency response costs and storm damage. The counties in southwest Missouri that Kehoe requested FEMA Individual Assistance and/or FEMA Public Assistance for include Camden, Howell, Laclede, Oregon, Ozark, Phelps, Pulaski, Shannon, Webster and Wright counties. The other Missouri counties requested for federal assistance include Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Iron, Jefferson, Madison, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, St. Louis, Stoddard and Wayne counties. Aid arrives to Nevada, MO following EF-1 tornado 'The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local partners have been working in close coordination with FEMA to document damage in the areas impacted by these storms,' Governor Kehoe said in a press release. 'Today, we are requesting a federal disaster declaration to support the affected communities and their recovery efforts. We are confident federal assistance will be forthcoming and greatly appreciate the critical work already being done by local response agencies and many volunteer partners to help Missourians in need.' FEMA Individual Assistance allows eligible residents a way to obtain housing repairs, temporary housing, replacements for damaged belongings and certain other expenses. FEMA Public Assistance lets local governments and certain nonprofits cover costs for emergency response, storm recovery and repair of public infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Those who need assistance can also call United Way by dialing 211 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Other disaster recovery resources can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kehoe requests federal disaster declaration for March 14-15 storms, tornadoes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Wednesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe requested President Donald J. Trump approve a major disaster declaration for 28 Missouri counties devastated by storms and tornadoes that struck on March 14-15. Those powerful storms claimed the lives of 13 people and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure across Missouri. 'We are confident federal assistance will be forthcoming and greatly appreciate the critical work already being done by local response agencies and many volunteer partners to help Missourians in need,' Kehoe said. The governor said the State Emergency Management Agency and local partners are working with FEMA to document the damage. Early estimates put the cost of the storms at $26.9 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure. Live Blog: Tornado watch issued for the St. Louis region Based on confirmed damage, Kehoe has requested FEMA Individual Assistance for 25 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Laclede, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Stoddard, Wayne, Webster, and Wright. According to a statement from Gov. Kehoe's Office, 'Individual Assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses.' The governor also requested FEMA Public Assistance for the following 20 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Wayne. If approved, 'Public Assistance would allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.' Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, please visit . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
12 people dead, severe damage across Missouri after Friday tornadoes, storms
Severe storms to start the spring tore through Missouri this weekend, leaving several people dead. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a 12th fatality was confirmed in St. Louis County. The majority of fatalities occurred in Wayne County, where six deaths occurred, and Ozark County, where three died. "We extend our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the 12 storm victims," the patrol stated. "We also continue to assist the individuals and communities who have been severely affected." Severe storms including tornadoes entered Missouri around 3 p.m. Friday afternoon in the Kansas City area and continued across the state through the evening and night. Initial reports from the statewide office of emergency management indicated there were up to 19 tornadoes of varying strengths that struck 25 counties in the state. Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a State of Emergency Friday, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan to support response and recovery efforts. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Missouri State Highway Patrol coordinated with local officials to assess damage and provide assistance. 'Friday and through the night, Missouri first responders, volunteers and our faith-based partners worked tirelessly in response to a series of devastating tornadoes and severe storms, and before that, dangerous and damaging fires,' Kehoe said. 'Our state team members and responders are working to support communities, have begun to assess the damage with local partners, and will be gathering more information in the coming days. I appreciate the heroic work of all those who are assisting their fellow Missourians. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families grieving loved ones, and we stand with all those impacted by these devastating storms." In addition to the deaths in Wayne and Ozark counties, fatalities were reported in Butler, Jefferson and St. Louis counties. In mid-Missouri, the Camden County Commission declared a 'state of emergency' due to the historic wildfire outbreak and severe weather that impacted the Lake Region. The EOC was activated, Road & Bridge provided heavy equipment and the sheriff's office provided intelligence and reconnaissance for the Unified Command. The Region F Fire Mutual Aid system requested strike teams from throughout the state, bringing in crews to assist, according to the county's emergency management office. Boone Electric had more than 800 of its customers without power at 4:15 p.m., according to its outage map. The number had decreased to 481 around 5 p.m. The outages appear to have occurred south of the Thornbrook area. More outages were reported near Prathersville. All were resolved by the evening, according to KMIZ. In Columbia, five outages had cut power to more than 1,200 city utility customers before 5 p.m., according to the city's outage map. All of the outages were resolved by 6:30 p.m. Friday. The largest outage impacting around 1,100 customers was reported at 4:25 p.m. in south Columbia near Green Meadows Road. Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit relief agency based in Springfield, reported Saturday that it had a team en route to Rolla and St. Louis and was responding to areas near Hartville, West Plains, Van Buren, and the Bootheel in Missouri, well as the Mountain Home area in Arkansas. The team planned to deliver initial relief supplies, assess the needs in damaged areas and discuss larger distribution plans with local partners. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 12 people dead, severe damage reported across Missouri after storms
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FOX 2's exclusive look inside Missouri Emergency Operations Center
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State emergency management officials remain weather aware 365 days a year, and they are asking you to do the same. During an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Missouri's Emergency Operation Center Monday, Katy Linnenerink with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said the department is always ready for any type of disaster, especially weather-related events. 'As we start to approach the spring and summer months, storms, tornadoes and flooding tend to be a bit more frequent,' Linnenerink said. 'Though they can certainly happen any time of year.' It was a message echoed by SEMA brass. 'It's incredibly important to learn about the risks and prepare before severe weather strikes,' State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said in a statement. 'Take time to understand the different hazards, have an emergency plan in place and review the steps you'll take to stay safe.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now While the agency and its 82 employees are focused heavily on the four key aspects of emergency management—mitigation, response, recovery and preparedness—this week in Missouri is all about severe weather preparedness. 'We really take this week to encourage Missourians to educate themselves and inform them of some of the risks,' she said. 'Just be prepared and have a plan and know how you will protect yourself and what to do to stay safe during severe weather.' With snow, rain and thunderstorms in the forecast this week, constantly monitoring the wild swings in Missouri weather is itself a full-time job for SEMA. 'SEMA is primarily a coordinating agency, meaning that we assist local emergency response when they become overwhelmed,' Linnenerink said. 'So we help with the coordination of resources for local communities when needed, or is requested like during severe weather.' But their role in public safety is multifaceted, with divisions specifically centered on the main foundations of emergency management. 'Our mission is to help Missourians prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters,' Linnenerink told FOX 2 News. SLMPD releases Soulard arrest numbers for Saturday In conjunction with Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri, SEMA is coordinating a statewide test of all outdoor warning sirens at 11 a.m. Wednesday. With all hazards in mind, the agency will also be hosting an upcoming earthquake summit in southeastern Missouri on March 18. SEMA also shared several tips regarding staying safe during severe weather: Follow local forecasts any time severe weather is anticipated. Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts in case one fails or severe weather strikes overnight. Create a family emergency plan to stay safe, and remember to include pets when building an emergency kit and stocking up on supplies. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it's also important to know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find. A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. It's important to be ready to act quickly if it becomes necessary. A tornado warning means seek shelter immediately because a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar causing imminent danger to life and property. The safest shelter location for tornadoes is generally an interior room without windows on the lowest floor of sturdy structure, preferably in the basement. Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse. Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building and never seek shelter under an overpass – the dangerous wind tunnel effect combined with flying debris can be deadly. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. Leave elevated areas and avoid isolated trees. Seek shelter immediately in an enclosed building or vehicle. The safest place to be when there is high winds or hail is indoors. Avoid driving to prevent injuries or vehicle damage. Consider all downed power lines as live. Never drive into standing water, even if it appears shallow. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can cause a car to lose control or float. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and sweep it away. Murky water can hide hazards including dangerous debris and road damage. For resources on how to prepare for severe weather, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
