On Thursday, Governor Mike Kehoe announced the approval of additional expedited disaster assistance through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding to support private property debris removal in the City of St. Louis following the federally-declared disaster in May. This funding will supplement the recovery operations of the State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis while utilizing FEMA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) technical expertise to ensure safe, efficient, and accountable debris operations.
On May 16, 2025, an EF-3 tornado killed five people, destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and businesses, and impacted the lives of tens of thousands of St. Louisans.
The State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis will lead the private property debris removal mission, including the state’s procurement of a contractor to complete the work and the city obtaining Rights of Entry from a verified owner before debris can be removed from eligible private property. FEMA and USACE will provide on-the-ground technical assistance, oversight, and best practices to help accelerate progress and protect public safety and health. This partnership keeps local and state officials in charge of recovery operations while also ensuring access to federal expertise and resources.
Residents should continue to follow local guidance on debris sorting and placement. Information about any private property debris removal in designated areas will be provided by local officials when available.