(KLZA)-- Governor Mike Kehoe requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 12 counties in response to tornadoes, straight-line winds, severe storms, large hail, and flooding that swept across the state April 23 through April 28, 2026.

In addition, Governor Kehoe, in the wake of another damaging storm system, requested that FEMA participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in a total of 11 counties, including Atchison, Holt, Nodaway and Worth counties, in response to tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds, heavy rains, large hail and flooding from May 16 through May 19. This is in preparation for a potential request for a second federal disaster declaration.

Joint PDAs conducted by FEMA, SEMA, and local officials in the additional counties would begin on May 27.

Requesting joint PDAs is one of the first steps the state must take to seek a federal Major Disaster Declaration. For Public Assistance, both state and county thresholds must be met for a county to be included in the request.