News, Updates and Orders

News, press conferences and executive orders related to the May 16, 2025 tornado.

Press Conferences

Mayor Spencer's Update: New Winter Outreach Efforts

Executive Orders

Mayor Executive Order No. 81
An executive order declaring a state of emergency in the City of St. Louis following extensive storm damage.

Mayor Executive Order No. 82
An executive order implementing a curfew following the declaration of a state of emergency in the City following extensive storm damage.

Mayor Executive Order No. 83
An Executive Order clarifying the implementation of the City’s protocols for receiving notifications for and operationalization of severe weather sirens.

Mayor Executive Order No. 84
An Executive Order clarifying Executive Order No. 76, and enacting new provisions pertaining to the focus of those funds for building stabilization, and in a manner that also supports tornado recovery efforts.

Mayor Executive Order No. 85
An Executive Order instructing the City Counselor and Building Commissioner to exercise their discretion to waive certain insurance claim payouts for property damaged by the May 16, 2025, tornado.

Mayor Executive Order No. 86
An Executive Order instructing the Director of Streets to exercise discretion to waive certain permit fees for dumpsters located in areas damaged by the May 16, 2025, tornado.

Mayor Executive Order No. 87
An executive order ending the curfew implemented under Executive Order No. 82 following the declaration of a state of emergency in the City of St. Louis following extensive storm damage.

Mayor Executive Order No. 89
An Executive Order formally establishing an entity within the Mayor’s Office known as the “Recovery Office,” and providing for its responsibilities.

Mayor Executive Order No. 90
An Executive Order instructing the Building Commissioner and Cultural Resources Office, and other City departments and agencies, to exercise their discretion to expedite permit applications for property damaged by the May 16, 2025, tornado, and to expedite permit applications needed to expand the availability of housing for people displaced by that tornado.

Mayor Executive Order No. 93
An Executive Order implementing a Winter Weather Unified Command and “Code Blue” Activation protocols for winter shelter operations.

News

Tornado Recovery Priorities and Progress Report December 2025
12/22/2025 - We are focused on stabilizing individuals, buildings and the community, while building the foundation to build back better.
City of St. Louis Winter Shelter Fund Now Accepting Donations to Help Community Through Winter of Unprecedented Need
12/18/2025 - The City seeks to add more funding to help provide shelter and services for unhoused residents and individuals and families affected by the tornado.
City of St. Louis and Civic Partners Mobilize Winter Safety Outreach, Offer Hotel Rooms and Rental Assistance
12/11/2025 - City, State and civic partners from the Tornado Recovery Advisory Committee mobilized a new effort to reach out to tornado-impacted residents.
City of St. Louis Extends Code Blue Through Tuesday Morning
12/04/2025 - The City and its partners currently have 285 emergency beds in the city, with a surge capacity of up to 345, in addition to 400 year-round beds.
City of St. Louis Extends Code Blue, Deploys Snowplows for Monday Snow
12/01/2025 - The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services has extended the activation of Code Blue protocols through Friday, December 5, at 9 a.m.
Additional Emergency Shelter Beds and Warming Centers Open in St. Louis, Shelters Move to Around-The-Clock Operations
11/28/2025 - This brings the total number of emergency shelter beds in the City of St. Louis from 150 to 215, with surge capacity of up to 265.
City of St. Louis Extends Code Blue, Prepares for Additional Shelter and Snow Clearing Needs
11/27/2025 - The Street Department will start to pre-treat roads on Friday ahead of snowfall and expects to begin plowing streets early Saturday.
City of St. Louis Launches Impacted Tenants Fund
11/21/2025 - The Impacted Tenants’ Fund project is being implemented to assist eligible city renters who have been forced to relocate from their residence.
Mayor Spencer Creates Winter Weather Unified Command and Departmental Activation Protocols
11/20/2025 - The Winter Weather Unified Command will ensure a coordinated, timely and compliant response to all significant winter weather events.
City of St. Louis Begins Structural Inspections to Support Repairs, Demolitions and Debris Removal in Tornado-Impacted Areas
11/19/2025 - The Recovery Office and the Building Division announced that structural inspections have begun for property owners requesting assistance.
Mayor Spencer Signs Board Bills Appropriating $13.7M to Tornado-Resident Housing and Winter Shelter
11/14/2025 - The three bills appropriate a combined $13.71 million to significantly scale up the City’s efforts to house and shelter residents this winter.
Mayor Spencer Announces Community Members Joining Tornado Recovery Advisory Committee
11/14/2025 - The Tornado Recovery Advisory Committee will help ensure that the direction set for the City’s tornado recovery efforts is shaped by the community.
Emergency Shelter Available In St. Louis Again Monday Night
11/10/2025 - Shelter is available Monday, Nov. 10, to help those who are unhoused or whose homes were damaged and are uninhabitable due to the May 16 tornado.
Ahead of Freezing Overnight Temperatures, City of St. Louis and Community Partners Make Emergency Shelter Available
11/09/2025 - The City and community organizations have made shelter available for those who are unhoused or whose homes are uninhabitable due to the tornado.
Mayor Spencer and Board of Aldermen Collaborate on Proposal of $13.7 Million for Tornado-Resident Housing and Winter Shelter
10/30/2025 - The Mayor’s Office is working closely with the Board of Aldermen to introduce these bills and see them passed and signed as quickly as possible.
CDA Expands Tornado Recovery Vacant Unit Turns Program to Include Private Landlords
10/21/2025 - $2.5 Million in Rams Settlement Funds Available to Help Rehouse Families Impacted by May 16 Tornado.
City of St. Louis Opens STLRecovers Outreach Center and Launches Private Property Assistance Application
10/21/2025 - The STLRecovers Outreach Center will enhance the City’s ability to connect residents affected by the May 16 tornado directly to City services.
City of St. Louis Teams Up With Clark-Fox Family Foundation and Local Partners on Trick or Tree™ Collection to Restore Tree Canopy
10/07/2025 - The Trick or Tree™ drive will mobilize children to collect donations while trick or treating, with funds directly supporting tree-replanting efforts.
Rams Funds Made Available to Help Residents Impacted by the May 16 Tornado
09/30/2025 - These resources from the Rams Settlement funds will help nonprofits address hunger relief, legal services, and mental health for residents.
From FEMA: In-person FEMA Assistance Available Through Sept. 25 at Disaster Recovery Centers
09/23/2025 - In-person FEMA assistance is available through Thursday, Sept. 25 at both Disaster Recovery Centers.
Announcement of Public Notice: Architectural Historic Survey
09/19/2025 - Federal agencies to conduct an architectural historic survey of city structures and residential homes damaged during the May 16, 2025, severe storms.
FEMA Approves Private Property Debris Removal Support for St. Louis
09/18/2025 - FEMA will provide an initial sum, in addition to the $100 mil that the Missouri General Assembly provided, with FEMA covering 75% of eligible costs.
Mayor Spencer Announces Plan for $12 Million in Rams Interest Funds for Housing and Debris Priorities
09/04/2025 - Spencer announced a plan to invest Rams interest funds in tornado relief, with the vast majority going to debris removal and housing.
Mayor Spencer Announces Tornado Recovery Advisory Committees
08/27/2025 - Residents and community members invited to apply
FEMA Denies Request for Individual Assistance Deadline Extension
08/26/2025 - Residents will still be able to receive assistance on their applications from FEMA staff at the Disaster Recovery Centers.
From FEMA: Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance by August 26 Deadline
08/25/2025 - Both Disaster Recovery Centers will remain open until further notice.
Mayor Spencer Signs Executive Order Removing Barriers to Repairing and Rebuilding in Tornado-Impacted Neighborhoods
08/25/2025 - The scope of this order includes neighborhoods impacted by the May 16 tornado; the City is also beginning work on a zoning code overhaul.
From FEMA: Keep Your Recovery on Track – Stay in Touch with FEMA
08/21/2025 - Information on disaster recovery assistance provided by FEMA.
City of St. Louis Launches Landlord Inventory Survey to Help Tornado-Impacted Residents Find Rental Units
08/21/2025 - Survey open for landlords to list vacant rental units and build citywide housing inventory. Partners to support with resources and housing placement.
Mayor Spencer Releases External Report on Tornado Response
08/18/2025 - Spencer shared with the public the full external report, completed independently by the law firm Carmody MacDonald
From FEMA: One Disaster Recovery Center to Close, Two Staying Open in City of St. Louis
08/08/2025 - The DRC in the parking lot of Sumner High School will close permanently this Monday, August 11. Two other DRCs are staying open until further notice.
City of St. Louis Announces Funding Assistance Applications for Non-Profit Organizational Work in Tornado Response
08/07/2025 - The City will contract with the United Way, which will seek proposals from non-profits to cover some of the expenses from the tornado response.
Property Tax Relief Application for Tornado-Damaged Properties Now Available Via Assessor's Office
08/01/2025 - The office may prorate the assessments for property that has been made "unoccupied and uninhabitable" by a natural disaster.
From FEMA: Disaster Assistance and Other Relief Programs Available for Tornado-Impacted Residents
07/30/2025 - Programs like rental assistance, home repair and unemployment help are available from FEMA, City of St. Louis and Missouri Department of Labor.
Mayor Spencer Announces Disaster Relief Spending Plan, Creation of Recovery Office, and Additional Debris Removal
07/10/2025 - The next phase of recovery from the May 16 tornado
Tornado Warrant Suspension ends on Friday, August 1, 2025
07/03/2025 - City Court will resume issuing bench warrants for failure to appear on Monday, August 4, 2025.
City Launches New Recovery Programs for St. Louisans Impacted by the May 16 Tornado
07/01/2025 - These programs address urgent repair needs, provide trusted technical guidance, and protect homeowners from fraud or further damage.
Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Opening in the City of St. Louis
06/26/2025 - Two more Disaster Recovery Centers with FEMA Individual Assistance staff are opening to help people affected by the May 16 tornado and storms.
Disaster Recovery Centers Opening in the City of St. Louis
06/20/2025 - Disaster Recovery Centers with FEMA Individual Assistance staff are opening to help people affected by the May 16 tornado and storms.
City of St. Louis Opens Emergency Stabilization Program RFPs to Support Tornado Recovery
06/18/2025 - RFPs to close June 20, 2025, for Tornado-Damaged Residential Building Stabilization Services and Program Management Services–Emergency Stabilization.
STL Recovers - One Month In Review
06/16/2025 - Highlighting some of the monumental work that’s been done by City workers, thousands of volunteers, and our private, non-profit and regional partners
Tornado Recovery Assistance Available Through Multiple Organizations
06/16/2025 - Residents impacted by the tornado have several ways to connect with resources and assistance this week.
Mayor Spencer Issues Executive Order to Waive 25% Insurance Holdback for Tornado-Damaged Properties
06/12/2025 - The issue stems from the State’s holdback law, Section 67.410, RSMo., which was incorporated by the City in 1996 as Ordinance No. 63838.
Small Business Administration Opens Business Recovery Center in St. Louis to Help Businesses Impacted by May Storms
06/12/2025 - Beginning June 12, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in St. Louis
President Trump Approves Governor Kehoe's Requests for Major Disaster Declarations to Assist Missourians Impacted by April 29 and May 16 Severe Storms and Tornadoes
06/10/2025 - The disaster declaration makes Individual Assistance available to eligible residents in the City of St. Louis.
Debris Collection Sites to Conclude Operations on Sunday, June 8
06/07/2025 - The free residential debris collection sites managed by the National Guard will conclude on Sunday, June 8th.
Disaster Assistance Center Opens to the Community on Monday, June 9 in Response to the May 16th Tornado
06/06/2025 - The DAC will serve as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies offering guidance, resources, and assistance.
Update from the Office of the Assessor Regarding Assessments of Tornado Damaged Properties
06/02/2025 - Board Bill 24 allows the Office to prorate the assessments for property that has been made "unoccupied and uninhabitable" by a natural disaster.
Due to Storm Impact: Trash, Recyclables, and Yard Waste in Alley Dumpsters to Be Commingled Until June 30, 2025
05/31/2025 - This is a temporary exemption, in place due to the May 16 tornado’s impact on city services.
City of St. Louis Postpones Real Estate Tax Sales
05/23/2025 - Collector of Revenue, Gregory F.X. Daly announces the postponement of scheduled real estate tax sales to provide relief to affected property owners
Missouri Board of Pharmacy issues emergency prescription waiver to assist Missourians impacted by May 16 tornadoes and severe storms
05/22/2025 - Bulletin issued by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance at 05/22/2025 09:19 AM CDT
Comptroller Baringer's statement following Friday's EF-3 tornado
05/18/2025 - St. Louis City Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer released a statement following Friday's EF-3 tornado.
American Red Cross Shelters Open Following Significant Storm Damage
05/17/2025 - Individuals needing a safe place to stay are encouraged to come to a shelter

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