October 7th, 2026 Local News
Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - President Donald J. Trump has approved Missouri’s request for a major disaster declaration for nine counties heavily impacted by the historic flash flooding and severe storms that struck the state July 9 through 11.
Governor Mike Kehoe thanked President Trump for approving the request and highlighted the efforts of first responders, the State Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri National Guard during the flooding.
“When historic flash flooding and storms devastated parts of south-central and southeast Missouri earlier this summer, our first responders, state emergency management team, and the Missouri National Guard were prepared and acted without hesitation as they rushed to rescue and evacuate flood victims,” Kehoe said.
Kehoe said he appreciated the opportunity to speak with Trump and share stories of the heroism witnessed during the flooding and the days that followed.
Under the President’s declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program will be available to local governments and qualifying nonprofit organizations in Bollinger, Crawford, Iron, Madison, Morgan, Reynolds, Ripley, Washington and Wayne counties.
The program can provide assistance for the repair and restoration of damaged public infrastructure, including roads and bridges. It can also provide reimbursement for eligible emergency response costs.
Kehoe submitted Missouri’s request for the federal disaster declaration on July 29. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments coordinated by the State Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and local authorities confirmed more than $26.5 million in emergency response expenses and damage to public infrastructure.
The July flooding caused catastrophic damage in portions of south-central and southeast Missouri, with emergency crews conducting numerous rescues and evacuations as rapidly rising water impacted communities.
The declaration is Missouri’s third federal disaster declaration of 2026. Previous major disaster declarations requested by Governor Kehoe were approved for the April 23-28 storms and the June 4-18 storms.