FEMA Approves Additional Assistance for Private Property Debris Removal in St. Louis After Tornado
In a major announcement today, Mayor Cara Spencer and Gov. Mike Kehoe have revealed that FEMA has approved additional assistance to aid in the clearing of debris from private properties in St. Louis following the devastating tornado on May 16.
This assistance comes in the form of an initial lump sum, in addition to the $100 million already provided by the Missouri General Assembly for disaster relief in the city. Under this agreement, FEMA will cover 75% of eligible debris removal costs.
The State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis will take the lead in the private property debris removal efforts. The State will procure a contractor to complete the work, while the City will obtain right of entry from property owners before debris can be removed from their land. FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will also provide on-the-ground technical assistance, oversight, and best practices.
Mayor Spencer expressed her pride and gratitude for this federal assistance, stating, “This is a big win for St. Louis and will help us quickly and effectively help St. Louisans get uninhabitable buildings off their property, making it possible to move toward rebuilding after the tornado.” She also acknowledged the collaborative efforts and bipartisan support from Missouri’s entire delegation to Washington, with a special thanks to Sen. Schmitt and Gov. Kehoe for their leadership in securing this aid for the city.
According to Julian Nicks, chief recovery officer for the City, debris removal is a critical first step towards recovery. He emphasized the importance of clearing the way for rebuilding and restoring hope and safety in the affected communities. Nicks also noted that this assistance will greatly accelerate the efforts to remove 1 million metric tons of debris still present on private properties in North St. Louis. He added, “We must and will invest in restoring and reimagining North St. Louis. This is a big leap forward.
