Recovery Update for October 15, 2025

SEMA, FEMA and SBA Approve $77.8 Million in Assistance for May 16 Tornado Survivors

Help is still available for St. Louis City and County residents whose homes and personal property were impacted by the May 16 tornado.

For losses not covered by insurance, additional money may be available to help impacted residents pay for home repairs, a temporary place to live, essential personal property and other needs.

Stay in Touch with FEMA

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call 1-800-621-3362
• Use the FEMA app.

Help with Rent

• More than 2,000 households have received disaster assistance money to help pay for a temporary place to live. To ask for help with rent, homeowners and renters may call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.
• Rental assistance may help cover monthly rent, which may include a security deposit.
• It might not cover all rental expenses.
• Continued Temporary Housing Assistance (CTHA): Impacted residents who received rental assistance from FEMA and require more rental assistance while working toward a permanent housing plan should stay in touch with FEMA. CTHA may be available for those who qualify.

Send FEMA Contractor Estimates for Repairs

• Provide contractor estimates for repairs and receipts for disaster-related purchases to FEMA.
• Track your application and upload documents to your online account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

By the Numbers:

• FEMA has provided $50.2 million in Individual Assistance to homeowners and renters.
• About $5 million of this amount is being paid by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
• More than 9,200 households have been approved for assistance.
• A home inspection is required for FEMA to approve money. FEMA has completed about 15,200 home inspections.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $27.6 million in low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes recover from the disaster. You can apply for these loans through https://lending.sba.gov.

STL RECOVERS - City of St. Louis Resources

• The City of St. Louis has launched recovery programs to assist residents impacted by the May 16 tornado.
• These programs address urgent repair needs, provide trusted technical guidance, and protect homeowners from fraud or further damage.
• For details and updates, visit: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/tornado/

FEMA May Call You

• FEMA may call you from an unknown number to schedule a required inspection or to obtain more information about your application.
• Please answer the call. If you don't recognize the number, you may call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 to verify the call.
• FEMA inspectors will know your FEMA case number, present their FEMA ID, and never ask for or accept money.

Read Your Letter from FEMA

• FEMA will send you a letter by mail or email. You chose how to receive communications when you applied for assistance. Read the letter carefully.
• If you disagree with FEMA's decision on your application, you may appeal.
• Submit an appeal form or write an appeal letter within 60 days of the date of the letter from FEMA.
• To appeal and submit documentation, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The President's major disaster declaration for Missouri severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring in May 2025 includes a 60-day grace period for filing physical SBA loan applications. This grace period ends on Oct. 25, 2025. Apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.

SBA's Business Recovery Center (BRC) and Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) serve as one-stop shops for SBA disaster assistance. These centers provide in-person support with SBA disaster loan applications, help applicants check their loan status, and offer guidance on funds available to businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted in a declared disaster area.