SEMA News Release

JEFFERSON CITY – Following the recent federal disaster declaration resulting from multiple severe weather systems that impacted Missouri May 23-26 (DR 4885), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will be conducting applicant briefings on July 30 and 31. The applicant briefings will take place in Ava (Douglas County) and Greenfield (Dade County) for all local governments and nonprofit agencies applying for Public Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

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 eligibility information, 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 May 23-26 storms: Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon, and Webster.

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

Wednesday, July 30

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                                                

Douglas County Courthouse 

203 East Lincoln Ave. 

Ava, MO 65608

 Thursday, July 31

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

University of Missouri Extension Office

2 North Main St. 

Greenfield, MO 65661

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 July 22, 2025 disaster declaration date, or August 21, 2025. RPAs must first be received and processed by SEMA before being submitted to FEMA by the August 21 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 Public Assistance program, please call (573) 526-9378.

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