Hawley Leads Delegation Urging Approval for New Federal Relief for Recent Missouri Tornadoes

Hawley Leads Delegation Urging Approval for New Federal Relief for Recent Missouri Tornadoes

Tuesday, June 02, 2026

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo) led the Missouri congressional delegation in sending a letter to President Trump in support of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe's request for a major federal disaster declaration. This comes after the devastating tornadoes and storms that struck Missouri from April 23 through April 28, 2026.

Senator Hawley wrote, "We write to support Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe's May 22 request for a major federal disaster declaration, pursuant to the Stafford Act, following devastating tornadoes, straight-line winds, severe storms, large hail, and flooding that struck Missouri from April 23 through April 28, 2026. If approved, this declaration would promptly authorize federal aid for affected residents and compensate local governments for their emergency response and recovery expenses in 12 counties throughout Missouri."

"These recent Missouri storms produced at least eight confirmed tornadoes and record-setting, nearly 5-inch hail. More than 140 households and significant public infrastructure have been affected across the dozen counties. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments by federal, state, and local officials have documented more than $36 million in eligible damages-triple Missouri's threshold to qualify for federal disaster assistance. The damage is well beyond the normal capacity of the affected communities to address without federal assistance," he continued.

Senator Hawley concluded, "We respectfully urge your immediate consideration and approval of Governor Kehoe's disaster declaration request so that Missouri families, local governments, and first responders can access the federal resources they urgently need."

Joining Senator Hawley in the letter to President Trump are Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo), Congressman Jason Smith (Mo-08), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Mo-02), Congressman Sam Graves (Mo-06), Congressman Mark Alford (Mo-04), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (Mo-05), Congressman Eric Burlison (Mo-07), Congressman Bob Onder (Mo-03), and Congressman Wesley Bell (Mo-01).

Read the full letter here or below.

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump,

We write to support Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe's May 22 request for a major federal disaster declaration, pursuant to the Stafford Act, following devastating tornadoes, straight-line winds, severe storms, large hail, and flooding that struck Missouri from April 23 through April 28, 2026. If approved, this declaration would promptly authorize federal aid for affected residents and compensate local governments for their emergency response and recovery expenses in 12 counties throughout Missouri.

These recent Missouri storms produced at least eight confirmed tornadoes and record-setting, nearly 5-inch hail. More than 140 households and significant public infrastructure have been affected across the dozen counties. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments by federal, state, and local officials have documented more than $36 million in eligible damages-triple Missouri's threshold to qualify for federal disaster assistance. The damage is well beyond the normal capacity of the affected communities to address without federal assistance.

We respectfully urge your immediate consideration and approval of Governor Kehoe's disaster declaration request so that Missouri families, local governments, and first responders can access the federal resources they urgently need.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley

United States Senator

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