The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $4 million in additional funding to support continued disaster-relief jobs for Missouri residents affected by severe storms that occurred in spring 2025.
In July 2025, the department’s Employment and Training Administration initially awarded $1 million in funding to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to begin disaster recovery efforts while the state assessed the full impact of the storms.
Between March 14-15, 2025, Missouri experienced several severe storms, tornadoes and wildfires that damaged and destroyed structures, facilities, and land in 26 counties. Many of the same areas were hit again with severe weather and flooding between March 30-April 8. Subsequently, Missouri experienced more severe weather on May 16 when a tornado traveled 23 miles from Clayton, Missouri, through St. Louis, and into western Illinois.
This Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to continue disaster relief employment for 266 eligible participants include those in communities affected by the May 2025 storms.
Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.