Top Missouri Republicans to Trump: Send federal relief to St. Louis. | Opinion
Editor’s Note: Since this story was published, President Donald Trump approved major disaster declaration for Missouri. On May 23, FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and wildfires on March 14-15, 2025. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.
This city is in a state of emergency. And I must commend Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on two fronts after an EF3 tornado ripped through my hometown late last week. First, to prepare for this massive weather event, Kehoe extended a state of emergency first issued in March that allocated state resources to aid in this current recovery effort.
And Kehoe’s request on Monday asking President Donald Trump to issue a federal emergency declaration for the entire state in response to the May 16 tornadoes and severe storms that damaged property in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and several counties in southeast Missouri is true servant leadership.
But it remains uncertain whether Trump will act — under this administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has all but declared that disaster recovery efforts would fall on individual states.
Trump recently denied Kansas’ request for disaster relief. My hope is he says yes to a state that carried him by double margins in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Presidential elections.
Schmitt, Hawley implore Trump
According to U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, Trump loves this state, so there’s that. But can the same be said of predominantly Black north St. Louis?
“I spoke with President Trump this afternoon about the damage in eastern Missouri from yesterday’s storms,” Schmitt wrote on X on Saturday. “He is engaged and loves Missouri.”
At a press conference here Monday, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley said he planned to implore Trump to expedite the emergency response process — a development that could take time, Hawley said.
“We need FEMA to act very quickly,” Hawley said. “Very, very quickly. And that will be my message to the President.”
These severe storms and tornadoes caused seven deaths statewide and widespread damage in the St. Louis region and beyond, according to Kehoe’s office. Thousands of homes — mainly in this city’s urban core — have been destroyed, families have been uprooted or outright displaced and people have died, according to officials here. Nothing could have prevented this natural disaster and I’d like to see Trump act with urgency regarding Kehoe’s request.
On a personal note, my stepmother’s childhood home near the 5200 block of Enright Avenue in north St. Louis — and other dwellings nearby — was completely obliterated. As a young child, I spent many nights at this house. I briefly walked that block on Monday with my daughter. I cannot even begin to describe the devastation I witnessed.
In a news release, Kehoe’s office said he and other state officials spent Saturday with local officials here surveying some of the hardest-hit areas.
“All levels of government are fully engaged, and recovery efforts continue across the region,” a statement from Kehoe’s office read.
In Kansas City, residents braced for severe thunderstorms forecast for that region on Monday. Thankfully, the city was spared from similar major damage. But I couldn’t help but think of the residents here whose lives have been turned upside down.
“Friday’s severe storms and tornadoes caused devastation in the St. Louis region and areas of southeast Missouri, took the lives of seven people, resulted in thousands of homes, businesses, and public infrastructure being damaged or destroyed, and left tens of thousands without power,” Kehoe said in a statement. “Local first responders, officials, businesses, and volunteer groups are working around the clock to recover, but the task before us is tremendously large and recovery will not be easy.”
FEMA to assess the tornado damage
On Wednesday, at Kehoe’s request, FEMA will be here and in southeast Missouri to assess damage caused by the tornado. St. Louis officials have said that the total was at least $1 billion.
A federal emergency declaration would provide about $5 million in needed funds while the joint preliminary damage assessments will allow the normal federal major disaster declaration process to move forward, according to Kehoe’s office. The emergency funding would be used by the state to support emergency protective measures and debris removal.
If Trump issues an emergency declaration, individuals could apply for financial relief, temporary housing assistance and other qualifying expenses. Also, local governments and nonprofits would be able seek federal reimbursement for emergency response and recovery costs to repair roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, according to Kehoe’s office.
In the statement, Kehoe said he has been in direct contact with Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson, and Missouri’s Congressional delegation on the state’s response to the damages and how to best proceed.
“We appreciate President Trump, Secretary Noem, FEMA Acting Administrator Richardson, and Trump Administration officials for their quick communication and responsiveness to the situation,” Kehoe said.
And I appreciate Kehoe’s willingness to step out in front of this disaster to give hope to our fellow Missourians as they begin this painstaking recovery process.
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
