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6h ago

Federal Inaction Deepens Crisis After Tornadoes Devastate Midwest

Local and state leaders in Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia plead for federal assistance as FEMA and the White House remain silent on the disaster response.

Debris is seen on a damaged car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms ravaged Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia.
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Overview

  • A series of tornadoes across multiple states, including Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia, have killed at least 28 people and caused widespread destruction, with St. Louis particularly hard-hit.
  • St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer reported five fatalities, 38 injuries, and extensive damage across an eight-mile stretch of the city, calling for urgent federal aid to support recovery efforts.
  • FEMA has not deployed personnel or confirmed assistance for affected areas, despite appeals from local and state officials, including Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and Senator Josh Hawley.
  • Missouri Governor Kehoe has formally requested a federal Emergency Declaration to unlock immediate funding, while Senator Hawley emphasized the need for a significant federal role in disaster relief.
  • Neither President Trump nor FEMA has publicly addressed the tornado outbreak, intensifying criticism of the administration's disaster management policies and ongoing debates about FEMA's role.