Updated at 9:45 am on 05/30/2025
Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday, May 27, issued a formal call for a special legislative session to support families impacted by recent severe storms, promote economic development through tax incentives, and finalize key budget appropriations.
The Missouri General Assembly will convene for the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session at noon on Monday, June 2, at the State Capitol in Jefferson City.
“We are proud of all that the General Assembly accomplished during the regular legislative session, but there is still work left to be done,” Kehoe said during a press conference earlier in the week on Tuesday.
He reiterated the reason for his move. “We call on legislators to use this special session as a rare opportunity to support our vulnerable neighbors in their time of need, drive economic development, and make transformative investments in our state. This work is too important to leave unfinished”, said Governor Kehoe.
According to the Missouri Constitution, the governor may convene an “extra” session. A “special” session may only be called by the Legislature itself.
Since 1988, Missouri’s Constitution has allowed the General Assembly to call itself into special session. A petition to convene a special session requires signatures from three-fourths of the members from both legislative chambers and must state the specific purpose for the additional session. The Legislature has exerted this authority only once – in 2018, to consider impeaching a sitting governor.
Missouri has been hit by multiple severe storm systems in recent months, resulting in fatalities and widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. Kehoe’s call includes legislation to assist families in areas covered by a pending presidential disaster declaration.
Governor Kehoe's key proposals include:
- A state income tax deduction of up to $5,000 per household per disaster for insurance deductibles paid by homeowners and renters due to storm-related damage.
- Reforms to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, including expanded eligibility and streamlined processes to speed up aid distribution through Disaster Housing Response Grants.
- A $25 million appropriation to the Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing efforts and broaden emergency aid eligibility.
The governor emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues before the next fiscal year begins.
On Memorial Day, Governor Kehoe met with American Red Cross of Missouri teams to discuss the ongoing recovery efforts in Sikeston.
On Friday, May 30, Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center announced they would be reopening, but with many limitations.
The major changes are due to the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of their popular 'speed slides', as well as their mat racers, which will not be available immediately and are scheduled to open at a later date. Additionally, the announcement stated the small and medium-sized slides may not be fully operational by Saturday, May 31.
Operating hours are changing as well. Their new operating hours for the 2025 season are:
• Sunday–Thursday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Friday–Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
And Riverwalking and Preschool Playtime hours are different, too:
• Monday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Monday–Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Updated at 4:57 pm on 05/23/2025
After some in Missouri have been waiting for federal relief from storms dating back to mid-March, there is some welcome news on the horizon.
On Friday, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that President Donald Trump approved two of Missouri's requests for a major disaster declaration in response to the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted the state from March 14 to 15 and March 30 to April 8.
The additional request for the April 29 storms is still under review, and the process to request a major disaster declaration for the May 16 storms is still underway.
“This is important and very welcome news for the Missouri families and communities hit hard by the devastating storms and tornadoes that began in March and have affected so much of our state,” Governor Kehoe said.
“The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will be working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to move the federal assistance process forward, which will provide millions of dollars in much-needed recovery support for individuals, families, and local jurisdictions. We appreciate the work of our federal congressional delegation in advocating for these requests and future assistance for Missourians", said Kehoe.
Individuals with damage or losses from the March 14 and 15 severe weather may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling FEMA’s toll-free application line at 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. They can also download the FEMA app to apply. Affected individuals are encouraged to document losses, photograph damage, and retain receipts. The faster Missourians register with FEMA, the faster they may be able to receive assistance.
Individual Assistance:
The President's action makes Individual Assistance available to eligible residents in 18 counties impacted by the March 14-15 storms, including: Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Wayne, Webster, and Wright counties.
The deadline for most Individual Assistance programs is 60 days following the President’s major disaster declaration. Disaster assistance to eligible individuals generally falls into the following categories:
- Housing Assistance may be available for up to 18 months for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed. Funding can also be provided for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.
- Disaster Grants are available to help meet other serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, transportation, medical, dental, and funeral expenses.
- Low-interest disaster Loans are available after a disaster for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be available for the repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing, or other damaged personal property. SBA loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury. Businesses can visit sba.gov or call 1-800-569-2955.
- Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid, and assistance with income tax, Social Security, and veterans’ benefits.
Public Assistance:
The President's action also makes the FEMA Public Assistance program available to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, as well as reimbursement of emergency response costs.
For the March 14-15 storms, public assistance is available in the following 20 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Wayne.
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has coordinated with volunteer partners and other state and local agencies to organize a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for affected residents in Scott County.
Communities impacted by disasters can request a MARC to bring additional resources to citizens. MARCs are one-stop shops that pull together recovery resources and support services in communities impacted by disasters, including cleaning supplies, insurance information, food stamp replacement, emergency financial assistance, legal services, and more. SEMA is currently coordinating to hold additional MARCs in other areas impacted by the recent severe storms.
Wednesday, May 28
Old Bethel Baptist Church
180 County Road 449
Sikeston, MO 63801
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Agencies at the MARC can only assist individuals and families, not businesses. Individuals are asked to bring photo identification showing address and proof of residence to be eligible for assistance from some agencies. If identification has been lost due to damage, representatives at the MARC can assist residents with information on how to replace IDs and other important paperwork.
Updated at 11:06 am on 05/22/2025
Early Tuesday morning, May 20, another round of storms blew through the area, delivering more damage across the City of Cape Girardeau and the surrounding region.
One of the prominent structures that was hit was the Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center. It was originally set to open Memorial Day weekend. Due to the damage and cleanup, the City of Cape Girardeau stated it would not be opening the weekend of May 24 and would give additional updates as they were available.
The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, later verified that an EF1 tornado touched down initially at the Cape Splash Aquatic Center, just after 1 am, damaging overhead umbrella structures and a few trees. It then continued east across Kingshighway and into northern Cape Girardeau neighborhoods.
Numerous trees were noticeably damaged, including some that were snapped or uprooted. Several homes also experienced minor roof or siding damage. The tornado appeared to lift along or just east of Oak Hill Street. Peak winds reached around 95 miles per hour, and the tornado stretched across 150 yards at its largest.
Elizabeth Shelton, United Way Executive Director, highlighted the extensive damage across Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry, and northern Scott counties and the need for support.
"Every county that United Way of Southeast Missouri serves, which is Cape Bollinger, Perry and northern Scott has been impacted by a tornado or high winds, so we set up a general Heartland Recovery Fund, so that we could use the money wherever it was needed and not have it designated for one specific community, because the damage has been so extensive and so relentless", said Shelton.
Communities are relying heavily on local programs such as the American Red Cross, United Way, and other local volunteer and faith-based programs to aid those in need, as they wait for federal support.
Shelton also talked about the impact the constant severe storms and damage have had on the area's residents and the region.
"Just as a community starts recovering from one event, for example, in Bollinger, a tornado, then they're hit with a flood, then they're hit with another tornado, and some of these families may never recover financially", said Shelton.
Those needing immediate, non-emergency assistance can call 211, which connects people with help for a wide range of needs. The website 211helps.org also offers other resources.
In a press release on Tuesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order aimed at assisting affected individuals and their prescriptions that may have been lost or destroyed, whose records are not available, or whose original prescribing physician is unavailable, to be able to continue to receive prescribed medications.
"To ensure the health and safety of those impacted by these recent devastating storms, we must ensure that Missourians are able to continue receiving prescribed medications in a timely manner," Governor Kehoe said.
The order appeared to address the scarcity of available medical resources after the storms.
"This executive order grants the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the State Board of Pharmacy discretionary authority to temporarily waive or suspend rules and regulations, which will allow medical professionals to better assist those affected by storms. We thank the medical professionals across our state who are playing a critical role in helping Missouri communities recover", said Kehoe.
The announcement also addressed the federal Emergency Declaration, which Gov. Kehoe requested from President Trump. This would provide federal resources to support state response operations and would speed up FEMA assistance. He also requested that FEMA participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments for the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and six other Southeast Missouri counties.
Beginning Wednesday, May 21, six teams were sent to survey and verify documented damage in Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, St. Louis, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne counties, and the City of St. Louis to determine if Individual Assistance can be requested through FEMA.
On Monday, May 26, Governor Kehoe is scheduled to speak at the Sikeston Memorial Day Service at the Sikeston Veterans Park. During the trip to Southeast Missouri, he will also visit affected areas in Scott County from the May 16 severe storms and tornadoes.
Individual Assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualified expenses. Initial damage assessments for roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure continue.
On Monday, May 19, Kehoe also directed the Missouri National Guard to provide a Liaison Officer to assist the City of St. Louis in evaluating and advising local officials on potential suitable Guard missions.
Updated at 4:31 pm on 05/19/2025
Recovery and storm damage surveys begin after a destructive day of widespread severe storms and long-track tornadoes shocked the region once again, twice in just over a month.
The National Weather Service tornado damage survey revealed that the deadly tornado that struck Blodgett, MO, in Scott County, was an EF-3, reaching peak winds of 152 miles per hour. It was on the ground for around 20 minutes, covering just over 16 miles, beginning around 3:54 pm, Friday, May 16.
Another brief tornado touched down around Burfordville, MO, in Cape Girardeau County. It was classified as an EF-2, with peak winds of 125 miles per hour, and was on the ground for about a mile and a half, lasting only 2 minutes, just after 4 pm.
Morley, MO, also in Scott County, briefly saw an EF-1 tornado touch down around 6:40 pm, reaching peak winds of around 110 miles per hour, and staying on the ground a little more than a mile.
The severe storm systems gradually crossed into Illinois and Kentucky in the early to late evening hours, bringing more tornadoes, destructive winds, and hail to the Midwest.
On Monday, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe gave an update on the recovery efforts following the severe storms and tornadoes that struck St. Louis and the southeast Missouri region, requesting that President Trump issue a federal Emergency Declaration for the state.
Gov. Kehoe also requested FEMA participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments of damage to homes and personal property in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, along with Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne counties in southeast Missouri. This is in preparation for a request by the Governor for a federal Major Disaster Declaration for these areas.
On Sunday, the American Red Cross of Southeast Missouri announced it was closing its shelter in Sikeston, Missouri, but stated they are working closely with the community and city, and county officials to determine local needs. This decision was made after having the shelter open for a few days with no attendance, and those in the community whose homes were affected indicated they had a place to stay.
In a Facebook post, the Red Cross also said they are beginning to conduct preliminary damage assessments to determine the extent of the tornado destruction throughout the Sikeston area and surrounding communities.
Updated at 3:25 pm on 05/17/2025
Early Friday afternoon, a series of widespread and frequent severe storms and tornadoes swept through Southeast Missouri, leaving behind deaths, injuries, destroyed structures, and numerous power outages.
According to the Scott County 911 Emergency Service Board, two people died as a result of their injuries from the storms. About ten people sustained a range of injuries and were being treated by medical personnel.
By mid-morning on Saturday, the American Red Cross established a support center at the Miner Convention Center for those requiring shelter, supplies, or support services.
Ameren Missouri also issued a statement regarding the widespread storm damage to the electrical grid and continued to update its website with power restorations and repairs.
Severe weather, including sustained high winds approaching 70 miles per hour and reported tornados, rolled through Ameren's service territory Friday afternoon and evening. Given the extent of the damage, our efforts to rebuild infrastructure will take multiple days to complete. We have all available crews working to help customers. We appreciate our customers patience as our crews work to safely restore power as quickly as possible.
The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives showed around 137 customers without power in Scott County, where the majority of storm damage was reported.
Updated at 7:36 pm on 05/16/2025
The National Weather Service updated and extended the threat of severe weather for the region around 6:34 pm Friday.
Shortly after 7:15 pm, SEMO DPS reported downed trees around the Cape Girardeau Campus.
Two tornado watches were issued for different parts of Southeast Missouri.
Mississippi, New Madrid, Scott, and Stoddard counties were included under a watch expiring at 10 pm Friday.
Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Perry, Ripley, and Wayne counties were under a tornado watch until 8 pm Friday.
At around 5:50 pm Friday evening, multiple power outages were reported by several Missouri Electric Cooperatives, with the largest number of customers in the Citizens Electric Cooperative service area: Cape Girardeau County: 5,108; Ste. Genevieve: 29, and in Perry County: 806.
Multiple outages were also reported in Ameren Missouri's service area, near Vanduser, Sikeston, Charleston, Park Hills, Doe Run, French Village, and outside of Hillsboro.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect for most of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois until 7 pm.
The threat of severe weather should move out of the area after 7 pm Friday.
Original Story
A strong storm system is predicted to sweep across the Southeast Missouri Region Friday, bringing strong to severe storms, potentially bringing hurricane-force winds and tornadoes.
The main line of storms is expected to move into Southeast Missouri and Southeast Illinois by 2 to 5 pm, eventually moving east towards Evansville and Paducah by 4 to 7 pm.
However, scattered dangerous storms are possible as early as 1 to 2 pm.
A few stronger or intense, longer-tracked tornadoes are possible, which could come either from individual cells or a fast-moving line that may develop.
Earlier Friday, Old Town Cape cancelled the 'Tunes At Twilight' outdoor concert, originally scheduled at 7 pm at the Ivers Square Gazebo.
Due to the threat of severe weather, Southeast Missouri State University also announced it would close at 1 p.m. Friday. All offices will be closed for the rest of the day at all campuses, stating that additional updates will be sent as necessary, and will be available at semo.edu/closings.
