From the Communications Office of Governor Mike Kehoe





Mike Kehoe Missouri Governor
Governor Kehoe Seeks Joint Federal, State, and Local Damage Assessments in Preparation for Federal Disaster Declaration Request 





*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*May 7, 2026*

*JEFFERSON CITY, MO *– Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that Missouri has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in a total of *11 counties* in response to tornadoes, record hail, straight-line winds, severe storms, and flooding. The joint teams will survey storm damage that occurred April 23 through April 28 in preparation for a potential request for federal disaster assistance.

“The State Emergency Management Agency’s regional coordinators have assisted local emergency managers with documenting extensive damage to public infrastructure, homes and businesses, and emergency response costs in the impacted communities,” *Governor Kehoe* said. “Initial damage reports have shown a clear need for a formal review by FEMA as part of the federal disaster declaration process.”

Joint PDAs are being requested for FEMA Individual Assistance in *Clay*, *Gentry*, *Greene*, *Holt*, *Randolph*, and *Saline* counties after almost 200 uninsured homes and businesses sustained major damage or were destroyed. Individual Assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses.

Joint PDAs are also being requested for FEMA Public Assistance in *Chariton*, *Greene*, *Howard*, *Monroe*, *Randolph*, *Ripley*, and *Saline* counties. Public Assistance helps governments and eligible nonprofit organizations by reimbursing emergency response and recovery costs.

Once approved, the teams work together to assess and document damage to determine the resources needed to help begin recovery from a disaster. The assessments do not include every affected home or business, but those who have experienced storm-related damage should report it to their local emergency management agency. Additional joint damage assessments may be conducted in more Missouri counties as additional information is documented locally.

Joint Damage Assessment Teams are made up of local emergency managers, representatives from SEMA, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Requesting joint PDAs is one of the first steps the state must take to request the President declare a federal Major Disaster. For Public Assistance, both state and county thresholds would need to be met in order for a county to be included in the request.

For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov [ [link removed] ].

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Governor Mike Kehoe


About Governor Mike Kehoe

Mike Kehoe was sworn in as Missouri’s 58th Governor on January 13, 2025. Guided by a dedication to public service and a commitment to Missouri families, Governor Kehoe has made public safety, education, economic development, and agriculture the cornerstones of his administration.






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Contact: Gabby Picard

Communications Director

Mobile: 573-536-6566 [ tel:5735366566 ]

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov [ [link removed] ]







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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Mike Kehoe · PO Box 720 · Jefferson City, MO 65102 · (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
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