SEMA News Release

JEFFERSON CITY – Following the federal disaster declaration for 34 Missouri counties heavily impacted by dangerous flash flooding, tornadoes, and intense straight-line winds from June 4-18, 2026, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will hold applicant briefings August 11-13 for local governments and nonprofit agencies seeking Public Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

SEMA highly recommends that all eligible agencies in the 34 declared counties planning to apply for assistance attend one of the briefings. These sessions cover program updates, eligibility details, the federal reimbursement process, documentation requirements, and other key program information.

The following counties are included in the federal disaster declaration: Adair, Andrew, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Dade, Daviess, Gasconade, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Hickory, Holt, Jasper, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Marion, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Osage, Polk, Putnam, Scott, Shelby, Sullivan, Vernon, Webster, and Worth. 

Applicant briefings will be held at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, August 11

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Maryville Public Safety Training Room

101 North Vine Street 

Maryville, MO 64468

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Polk County 911 Center

370 North Davis Drive

Bolivar, MO 65613

1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

City of Cape Girardeau Fire Department

1 South Sprigg Street

Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Wednesday, August 12

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

St. Mary's Parish Center

211 St. Mary's Street

Milan, MO 63556

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Osage County 911/EMA

205 East Main Street

Linn, MO 65051

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Joplin Training Center

5105 Suede Lane

Joplin, MO 64870

Thursday, August 13 

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mark Twain Museum Gallery

120 North Main Street

Hannibal, MO 63401

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Camden County Emergency Management Agency 

12 VFW Road

Camdenton, MO 65020

Applicant briefings explain FEMA’s Public Assistance program specifically for local governments and qualifying nonprofits – not the general public. These briefings provide details on the criteria for receiving federal assistance to repair 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 August 3 disaster declaration date, or September 2. RPAs must first be received and processed by SEMA before being submitted to FEMA by the September 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 https://sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/state_public_assistance.php (video will be located under DR-4929 tab). For questions about the applicant briefings or Public Assistance program, please call (573) 526-9378.

For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, please visit recovery.mo.gov.

For more information, call 573-751-6294 or e-mail caty.luebbert@sema.dps.mo.gov