Senator Hawley Leads Missouri Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Disaster Relief

Senator Hawley Leads Missouri Delegation in Supporting Governor's Request for Disaster Relief

Monday, May 12, 2025

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) led members of the Missouri congressional delegation - including Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and U.S. House Members Ann Wagner, Robert Onder, Mark Alford, Jason Smith, Sam Graves, and Eric Burlison - in support of Governor Mike Kehoe's request for President Donald Trump to issue a disaster declaration following devastating storms that hit the southern part of the state March 30 to April 8. These storms left over 50,000 Missourians without power in Springfield alone.

"This declaration is critical to ensuring Missouri communities receive the immediate resources, technical assistance, and long-term recovery support they need to repair vital infrastructure, assist displaced families, and rebuild communities in the aftermath of these devastating storm," the Missouri lawmakers wrote.

"We respectfully request your swift action to ensure that these communities receive the necessary support to respond to the disaster," they continued.

Senator Hawley has also joined his Missouri colleagues in supporting Governor Kehoe's request for a disaster declaration following the devastating tornadoes in eastern Missouri earlier this year.

Read the full letter here or below.

May 9, 2025

The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump,

We write in support of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe's request to approve a major presidential disaster declaration, as authorized by the Stafford Act, for public assistance in 25 of Missouri's 114 counties, individual assistance in 20 Missouri counties, and hazard mitigation statewide. This declaration is critical to ensuring Missouri communities receive the immediate resources, technical assistance, and long-term recovery support they need to repair vital infrastructure, assist displaced families, and rebuild communities in the aftermath of these devastating storms.

On April 30, 2025, Governor Kehoe requested a major disaster declaration following widespread damage caused by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted Missouri from March 30 to April 8. The storms resulted in at least six confirmed deaths. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with many communities still focused on rebuilding infrastructure and restoring normalcy. Federal assistance is crucial to support these efforts.

A major presidential disaster declaration would allow qualified individuals and families, local governments, and qualified nonprofits to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs. Importantly, this declaration would help ensure that Missourians have access to the critical assistance needed to begin rebuilding after these devastating storms.

We respectfully request your swift action to ensure that these communities receive the necessary support to respond to the disaster. Along with our fellow Missourians, we appreciate your immediate attention to this request and stand ready to assist.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley
United States Senator

Eric Schmitt
United States Senator

Ann Wagner
Member of Congress

Robert Onder
Member of Congress

Jason Smith
Member of Congress

Mark Alford
Member of Congress

Sam Graves
Member of Congress

Eric Burlison
Member of Congress

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