SEMA News Release

Following the recent federal disaster declarations resulting from multiple severe weather systems that impacted Missouri March 14-15 (DR 4867) and March 30-April 8 (DR 4872), the State Emergency Management Agency will conduct applicant briefings for local governments and nonprofit agencies applying for Public Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

SEMA strongly encourages all eligible agencies in the declared counties that plan to apply for assistance to attend one of the briefings. During the briefings, SEMA Public Assistance team members will explain assistance eligibility, program changes, the federal reimbursement process, documentation requirements, and other essential program information.

The following counties are included in the federal disaster declaration from the March 14-15 incident period: Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, and Wayne.

The following counties are included in the federal disaster declaration from the March 30-April 8 incident period: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cooper, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, and Webster.

Applicant briefings will take place at the following times and locations:

Wednesday, June 4

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.                                                            9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Phelps County Sheriff’s Department                                      Douglas County Courthouse

500 West Second Street, 2nd Floor                                          203 East Lincoln Avenue

Rolla, Missouri 65401                                                            Ava, Missouri 65608

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                                                              8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Howell County EOC                                                               Cape Girardeau County EOC

180 Kentucky Street                                                               3555 Veterans Memorial Drive

West Plains, Missouri 65775                                                  Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

Thursday, June 5

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.                                                            9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Franklin County EOC                                                             Nevada Community Center

3 Bruns Drive                                                                         200 Ash Drive

Union, Missouri 63084                                                           Nevada, Missouri 64772

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                                                              8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Centerville Library                                                                 Cherokee Pass Fire Department

2306 Pine Street                                                                     1030 Madison 333

Centerville, Missouri 63633                                                   Fredericktown, Missouri 63645

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.                                                            8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Poplar Bluff Library                                                               SEMA

318 North Main Street                                                            2302 Militia Drive

Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901                                                 Jefferson City, Missouri 65101

Friday, June 6

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Clinton Building

501 Campanella Drive

Sikeston, Missouri 63801

Applicant briefings are not for the general public. The briefings are for FEMA’s Public Assistance program only, which provides financial assistance to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure as well as reimbursement of associated emergency response and recovery costs.

All Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) must be submitted to FEMA within 30 days of the May 21, 2025 disaster declaration date, or June 20, 2025. RPAs must first be received and processed by SEMA before being submitted to FEMA by the June 20 deadline, so applicants should plan accordingly.

An authorized representative for each potential applicant should attend one of the briefings in order to register for assistance. In-person applicant briefings can last up to four hours and provide an opportunity to meet with FEMA personnel, begin the required paperwork and ask questions. In order to register in a timely manner, attendees should bring their organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Any government agency – including special districts such as road, water, or sewer districts – or nonprofits in the declared counties that incurred disaster-related expenses should attend, including those that are unsure of their eligibility status.

SEMA encourages public officials and community leaders in the affected areas to share this information with all potential applicants to ensure they have an opportunity to attend a briefing and submit an RPA.

For those who are unable to attend a briefing, a recorded video and other important information will be available online at sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/state_public_assistance.php (video will be located under the DR tabs). For questions about applicant briefings or the Public Assistance program, please call (573) 526-9378.

For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.

For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov