Senator Schmitt Secures FEMA Funding for St. Louis Cleanup

Approval Follows Schmitt's Push to Unlock Aid, Close Partnership with Governor Kehoe, Mayor Spencer

ST. LOUIS, MO - U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) secured a commitment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for personal property debris removal currently estimated to be at least $180 million. This includes an initial payment of $63 million to jumpstart the project, this commitment will be accompanied by technical assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for personal property debris removal in St. Louis following the storms and tornadoes that struck the region on May 16, 2025. This dollar amount comes after FEMA's thorough eligibility assessment of properties that were destroyed and in need of removal. Senator Schmitt led the entire Missouri congressional delegation in a letter to Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson requesting assistance for debris removal.

Download Senator Schmitt's video statement HERE

"I'm glad to see FEMA approve this critical mission to aid recovery efforts following the devastating storms and tornadoes that struck the St. Louis region on May 16, 2025. This will unlock rapidly deployed federal funding and assistance to strengthen state and local efforts to remove debris, protect public health and safety, and support St. Louis' full recovery.Since the storm I have been clear - this is not a partisan issue, this is a Missouri issue. To that end, I worked closely with the Trump administration, Governor Kehoe, Mayor Spencer, and Missouri's federal delegation to advocate for these vital resources to help the St. Louis community recover," said Senator Schmitt.

On August 1, 2025, Senator Schmitt led the Missouri federal congressional delegation in a letter to Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson writing in support for private property debris removal assistance. Read the full letter Senator Schmitt led HERE.

Background:

1. On May 21, 2025 Senator Schmitt sent a letter to President Trump, requesting immediate action on Governor Mike Kehoe's disaster declarations for the storm that touched down in St. Louis on May 16.
2. Senator Schmitt pushed for the approval of these declarations, and on June 9, it was announced that President Trump approved both individual assistance and public assistance will be distributed across the state.

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