Senator Schmitt Leads Missouri Delegation to Call for Additional Aid Following St. Louis Storms

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) led Missouri’s congressional delegation in a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Director David Richardson urging approval for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission to assist with debris removal in St. Louis. This would aid recovery efforts following the storms and tornadoes that struck the St. Louis region on May 16, 2025.

The letter stated: “We write in support of St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer’s July 9, 2025, request and justification for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) mission, which would aid recovery efforts following the devastating storms and tornadoes that struck the St. Louis region on May 16, 2025. If approved, this mission would unlock USACE’s unmatched staff, expertise, capacity, and equipment to support state and local efforts to remove debris, protect public health and safety, and support economic recovery.”

The letter continued: “On May 16, 2025, devastating storms and tornadoes hit the St. Louis region, resulting in the loss of five lives, an estimated $1.6 billion in damage, and destruction or harm to 15% of the City’s structures. Left behind in the wake of the storm were approximately one million tons of debris, primarily on private property, accumulating across more than 24,000 parcels. The hidden hazards inside the debris, which include construction and demolition waste, household hazardous materials, asbestos-containing items, and other dangerous substances, pose a significant risk to public health and safety.”

The letter concluded: “Respectfully, we urge your immediate review and approval of Mayor Spencer’s request for a PPDR mission to accompany these valiant local, state, and federal efforts. We appreciate your attention to this request, and we stand ready to assist our constituents in any way possible.”

Read the full letter HERE.

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