Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Disaster Management, has sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator David Richardson seeking information about delays in federal assistance following the tornadoes that struck Missouri on May 16, 2025.

In his letter, Senator Hawley stated, “I write regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to the May 16, 2025 tornadoes in Missouri. St. Louis city officials have reported delays in the distribution of federal assistance. As you know, the President approved a major disaster declaration for the St. Louis region on June 9. Some reports indicate that various aspects of the approved aid, however, have yet to arrive.”

He added, “As Chair of the Subcommittee on Disaster Management, I request your help in gathering relevant information. You will agree, I know, that residents of disaster areas should receive approved federal assistance in a timely manner to ensure a swift recovery.”

Senator Hawley concluded by requesting specific details from FEMA regarding its response efforts in St. Louis after the tornadoes and asked for this information to be provided to his subcommittee by October 6, 2025.

The requested details include how much FEMA aid has been distributed so far under the June disaster declaration and how much remains outstanding; a breakdown of aid by recovery program; numbers and roles of FEMA personnel deployed; whether door-to-door services were offered; operational timelines for disaster-recovery facilities; and steps being taken to expedite deployment of resources both in Missouri and other affected regions.