Columbia News

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has led Missouri’s congressional delegation in requesting federal assistance for debris removal in St. Louis following the severe storms and tornadoes that hit the region on May 16, 2025. The request was made through a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Director David Richardson, urging approval for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission.

The letter referenced St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer’s July 9, 2025, request for a Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) mission by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). According to the letter: “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 correspondence highlighted the scale of damage from the storm event: “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 with an appeal for urgent action: “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.”

No additional facts were provided.