The U.S. Department of Labor has allocated an additional $4 million to sustain disaster-relief employment for Missouri residents impacted by severe storms in spring 2025. This funding follows an initial $1 million grant awarded in July 2025 to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. The earlier funds were intended to kickstart recovery efforts while the state evaluated the storm damage.
Missouri faced multiple severe weather events between March 14-15, 2025, including storms, tornadoes, and wildfires that caused significant damage across 26 counties. These areas were further affected by additional severe weather and flooding from March 30 to April 8. Another major weather event occurred on May 16 when a tornado traveled from Clayton, Missouri, through St. Louis, reaching western Illinois.
The Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant will enable the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to maintain disaster relief jobs for 266 eligible participants, including those affected by the May storms. The grants are part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which provides funding for direct services in regions experiencing major economic disruptions that exceed local resources.
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