Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has led Missouri’s congressional delegation in a formal request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for additional federal support following the severe storms and tornadoes that impacted St. Louis on May 16, 2025.

In a letter addressed to FEMA Acting Director David Richardson, the delegation called for approval of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission to assist with debris removal in the affected region. The request follows an earlier appeal from St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer on July 9, 2025.

The letter states: “We write in support of St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer’s July 9, 2025, request and justification for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) mission, which would aid recovery efforts following the devastating storms and tornadoes that struck the St. Louis region on May 16, 2025. If approved, this mission would unlock USACE’s unmatched staff, expertise, capacity, and equipment to support state and local efforts to remove debris, protect public health and safety, and support economic recovery.”

The correspondence details the scale of destruction caused by the storm: “On May 16, 2025, devastating storms and tornadoes hit the St. Louis region, resulting in the loss of five lives, an estimated $1.6 billion in damage, and destruction or harm to 15% of the City’s structures. Left behind in the wake of the storm were approximately one million tons of debris, primarily on private property, accumulating across more than 24,000 parcels. The hidden hazards inside the debris, which include construction and demolition waste, household hazardous materials, asbestos-containing items, and other dangerous substances, pose a significant risk to public health and safety.”

The letter concludes: “Respectfully, we urge your immediate review and approval of Mayor Spencer’s request for a PPDR mission to accompany these valiant local, state, and federal efforts. We appreciate your attention to this request, and we stand ready to assist our constituents in any way possible.”

St. Louis continues its recovery as officials seek federal resources to address extensive property damage and health risks from hazardous storm debris.