Missourians who lost homes or other property during the May 16 tornado in St. Louis or storms that struck Scott County on April 29 are now eligible for federal disaster money.
Gov. Mike Kehoe announced June 10 that President Donald Trump had approved his request for disaster declarations for the storms the day before, making federal help available for recovery efforts by state and local government and direct grants and loans available to individuals.
The declaration for the St. Louis tornado came 15 days after Kehoe made the request. The declaration for Scott County took 20 days from the day of the request. That makes the St. Louis request the fastest of four for Missouri this year, but it took longer than 10 of 20 disasters declared from 2010 to 2024.
“We are grateful for President Trump acting quickly to get vitally needed federal assistance to the thousands of Missourians hit hard by the violent severe weather that struck our state and who are now struggling to rebuild their lives and homes,” Kehoe said in a news release. “We urge all eligible residents to apply now. The faster you apply, the faster you will receive assistance.”
The tornado did an estimated $1.6 billion in damage and is blamed for the deaths of five Missourians.
So far, the state has identified $57.9 million in public expenses eligible for federal aid and at least $18.7 million in qualifying Individual assistance needs, Kehoe’s release said.
Public agencies and qualifying nonprofit agencies are eligible for reimbursement of 75% of the cost of recovery and rebuilding. Individuals can receive up to $770 for immediate emergency needs, plus up to $43,600 to assist with home repair costs and $43,600 for other recovery costs.
A federal disaster declaration also provides emergency SNAP and unemployment benefits.
The deadline for most Individual Assistance programs is 60 days following the President’s major disaster declaration. Housing assistance may be available for up to 18 months for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed.
The declaration came as state lawmakers are meeting in special session to provide disaster relief and approve state financial support for professional sports stadiums in Kansas City.
One bill would provide a tax credit of up to $5,000 for insurance deductibles paid for damages from an area included in a disaster request. Another would authorize the Missouri Housing Development Commission to distribute funds allocated to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund to assist in housing needs in disaster areas.
A separate spending bill includes $25 million for the housing trust fund and $100 million to assist with clean-up and repairs in St. Louis.
U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, a Republican from St. Louis County, thanked Trump in a statement issued late Monday.
“The St. Louis region was hit incredibly hard,” Wagner said, “and this disaster assistance is going directly to ensure our community can rebuild stronger and better than before.”
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