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MARYVILLE

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News Brief

June 16, 2025 |  By: KXCV News Staff

Approved disaster declaration for impacted areas in St. Louis

Impacted area in St. Louis

Photo courtesy of Richard Reilly

© Missouri Independent, 2025 v1.85.2

Last week President Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration for tornado impacted areas in St. Louis. The approval will send federal resources to victims of the May 16th storm event which displaced thousands and took five lives in the state of Missouri.

Trump also approved an emergency declaration for Scott County, which was impacted by storms in late April. Governor Michael Kehoe requested the disaster declarations a few weeks prior.

Democratic lawmakers in the state criticzed the slow speed of the federal response. State Senator Brian Williams, representing University City, said in an interview with the Missouri Independent that many residents have been staying in unsafe homes for weeks waiting for resources to come. The delay added urgency to a state funded relief package approved last week.

Governor Kehoe, for his part, thanked the administration for its disaster approvals and encouraged impacted residents to apply for the funding. The storms in St. Louis have been blamed for over one and a half billion dollars in damages. 

Currently, 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 can qualify for reimbursement of 75% of the cost of recovery and rebuilding. Individuals can receive up to $770 for immediate emergency needs, as well as up to $43,600 to assist with repair to their home costs and $43,600 for other recovery costs.

A federal disaster declaration also enables 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. 

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 help with clean-up and repairs in St. Louis.

This report was supported by the Missouri Independent