Hawley, Missouri Delegation Urge White House to Issue Federal Disaster Declaration For Late April Storms

For information about Senator Hawley’s new RECA law to compensate Missourians,click here.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) led members of the Missouri Delegation—including Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and U.S. House Members Ann Wagner, Robert Onder, Mark Alford, Jason Smith, Sam Graves, and Eric Burlison—in sending aletterto President Trump in support of Governor Kehoe’s request for a federal disaster declaration following the severe storms and tornadoes in Missouri on April 29, 2025.
The Governor made thisrequeston May 19, which, if approved, would unlock federal funds and assistance to restore public infrastructure.“This declaration is vital to providing the resources, technical support, and federal assistance necessary for these communities to repair public infrastructure, address recovery needs, and begin rebuilding after this devastating weather event,”the lawmakers wrote.We respectfully urge your immediate consideration and approval of this request. Missourians are resilient and committed to rebuilding, and federal assistance will be a crucial part of helping them move forward,”the delegation concluded.
Separately, Senator Hawley has been working to unlock federal aid for the more recent tornados in Eastern Missouri and sent a lettertodayurging approval of a special emergency designation to provide federal reimbursement for first responder activities.Read the full letterhereor below.
May 21, 2025
The Honorable Donald J. TrumpPresident of the United StatesThe White House1600 Pennsylvania AvenueWashington, DC 20500Dear President Trump,We write in strong support of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s request for a major presidential disaster declaration, pursuant to the Stafford Act, for public assistance in six Missouri counties affected by severe storms and tornadoes on April 29, 2025. This declaration is vital to providing the resources, technical support, and federal assistance necessary for these communities to repair public infrastructure, address recovery needs, and begin rebuilding after this devastating weather event.On May 19, 2025, Governor Kehoe formally requested a major disaster declaration following widespread damage caused by a cluster of severe storms and eight confirmed tornadoes that hit Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, and Washington counties. Joint assessments conducted by FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local officials estimate more than $16.5 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure, including damage to a public elementary school, transportation facilities, utility distribution lines, and roads.A major presidential disaster declaration would allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including the repair and replacement of roads, bridges, schools, and other public infrastructure. Prompt federal support is essential to help these communities recover from the storms’ aftermath and resume essential services for their residents.We respectfully urge your immediate consideration and approval of this request. Missourians are resilient and committed to rebuilding, and federal assistance will be a crucial part of helping them move forward. Along with our fellow Missourians, we appreciate your immediate attention to this request and stand ready to assist.Sincerely,
Josh HawleyUnited States SenatorEric S. SchmittUnited States Senator
Eric BurlisonUnited States Representative
Sam GravesUnited States Representative
Jason SmithUnited States Representative
Ann WagnerUnited States RepresentativeRobert OnderUnited States Representative
Mark AlfordUnited States Representative

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381 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510Office: 202-224-6154Fax: 202-228-0526
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