Randall Willoughby picks up a small propane tank amongst the tornado damage including destroyed cars and buildings in Joplin, Missouri.

Whether the disaster is natural or man-made, the main goal of disaster response and recovery is to protect humans and the environment from immediate danger and help communities get back on their feet. The information provided below is designed to reduce the adverse effects of a disaster and help communities affected by disasters respond during the immediate aftermath. 

If your questions are not addressed by the information below, please contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.

For up-to-date information when natural disasters occur in Missouri, please visit our Disaster News and Information webpage. 

Local Assistance Contact Information

Drought

Droughts may require safety precautions just like other weather hazards. Hot, dry conditions can cause an increased risk for other hazards as well. For helpful, up-to-date information to keep you safe and informed of droughts, please refer to the Drought section on the department's Disaster News and Information page.

Agriculture

For a list of resources currently available to assist Missouri farmers, please refer to the Assistance section on the department's Drought webpage.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

During droughts, water levels in lakes and rivers decrease, leading to a higher concentration of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that are already present in the water. Reduced water flow during droughts means that water remains in a body of water for longer periods. This creates the perfect environment for rapid algae growth, also called algal blooms. Algal blooms are considered harmful when they have detrimental effects on human, livestock or pet health, or on aquatic ecosystems. Some algal blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to humans, livestock, working animals, and pets. Visit the departments Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) webpage for more information about the different risks that HABs can present, how to avoid exposure, the different symptoms of exposure and steps to take if a person or animal is showing signs of exposure. 

Water

For a list of resources currently available to assist our communities, please refer to the Assistance section on the department's Drought webpage.

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

The following information is intended to provide initial emergency guidance to the operators, owners and employees of both publicly and privately owned facilities that produce and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater.

Private Drinking Water Wells

If a private water well has been impacted, it is important for the well owner to disinfect it carefully to ensure the water is safe to drink. If repairs need to be made to the well, hire a contractor to do the work. Locate contractors licensed to do business in Missouri using mowells. For information about bacteriological testing for private drinking water please contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service or your Local Public Health Agency.

Current Water Levels

Wildfire Prevention

During times of drought wildfire prevention is of key importance for public safety. Resident should be mindful when driving off road, building campfires or burning leaves and other debris. It also is essential for smokers to put out cigarettes completely and safely, as well as responsibly dispose of butts. More information is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wildfire Prevention webpage

Visit the National Weather Service’s Fire Weather Outlooks webpage before conducting any prescribed burns on your property, or other activities that may ignite a wildfire. Resources to support prescribed burns are available at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Prescribed Fire webpage. Additional information on wildfire prevention can also be found at the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Missouri Natural Cover Fire Risk webpage.

Fire

Agricultural Information

Asbestos and Open Burning

Extra precaution should be taken when handling asbestos-containing debris. Open burning is the burning of any materials in which air contaminants are emitted directly into the air without first passing through a stack or chimney. The open burning fact sheet summarizes allowable and prohibited open burning under Missouri regulations.

Current Air Quality

Debris

Energy

Public schools (K-12), public colleges and universities, city and county governments and public hospitals impacted by severe weather events or catastrophic equipment failure may apply for low-interest emergency energy loans to replace or upgrade damaged equipment. Applicants must submit their application within two months of the weather event. For more information, visit Emergency Energy Loans.

Historic Preservation

Scrap Tires

Flooding

Agricultural Information

Landowners should contact their local county soil and water conservation district office for additional information and assistance.

Containers or Tanks

To report orphaned containers or tanks contact the department's 24-hour spill line at 573-634-2436.

Debris

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facility Information

The following information is intended to provide initial emergency guidance to the operators, owners and employees of both publicly and privately owned facilities that produce and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater.

Drinking Water Assistance

Energy

Public schools (K-12), public colleges and universities, city and county governments and public hospitals impacted by severe weather events or catastrophic equipment failure may apply for low-interest emergency energy loans to replace or upgrade damaged equipment. Applicants must submit their application within two months of the weather event. For more information, visit Emergency Energy Loans.

Historic Preservation

Private Drinking Water Wells

If a private water well has been impacted, it is important for the well owner to disinfect it carefully to ensure the water is safe to drink. If repairs need to be made to the well, hire a contractor to do the work. Locate contractors licensed to do business in Missouri online using mowells. For information about bacteriological testing for private drinking water please contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service or your Local Public Health Agency.

Water Levels

Geologic Hazards

Agricultural Information

Staff respond to and provide Environmental Geology Assistance when mass animal mortality events occur including providing recommendations for appropriate burial locations for animal carcasses to protect Missouri’s environmentally sensitive areas, such as karst areas and floodplains, in the protection of groundwater and surface water.

Debris

Report any potential hazardous substance containers or propane tanks that have been affected to the department’s 24-hour emergency response line at 573-634-2436.

Energy

Public schools (K-12), public colleges and universities, city and county governments and public hospitals impacted by severe weather events or catastrophic equipment failure may apply for low-interest emergency energy loans to replace or upgrade damaged equipment. Applicants must submit their application within two months of the weather event. For more information, visit Emergency Energy Loans.

Historic Preservation

Water Levels

HazMat Incident

Agricultural Information

Asbestos and Open Burning

Extra precaution should be taken when handling asbestos-containing debris. Open burning is the burning of any materials in which air contaminants are emitted directly into the air without first passing through a stack or chimney. The open burning fact sheet summarizes allowable and prohibited open burning under Missouri regulations.

Containers or Tanks

To report orphaned containers or tanks contact the department's 24-hour spill line at 573-634-2436.

Debris

Energy

Public schools (K-12), public colleges and universities, city and county governments and public hospitals impacted by severe weather events or catastrophic equipment failure may apply for low-interest emergency energy loans to replace or upgrade damaged equipment. Applicants must submit their application within two months of the weather event. For more information, visit Emergency Energy Loans.

Environmental Emergency Response (EER)

Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste

Radioactive Materials

Petroleum Releases

Scrap Tires

Heat

Agricultural Information

Current Air Quality

Checking local current air quality can help you plan your day. 

Energy

Public schools (K-12), public colleges and universities, city and county governments and public hospitals impacted by severe weather events or catastrophic equipment failure may apply for low-interest emergency energy loans to replace or upgrade damaged equipment. Applicants must submit their application within two months of the weather event. For more information, visit Emergency Energy Loans.

Severe Weather

For helpful, up-to-date information to keep you safe and informed of severe weather, please refer to the severe weather section on the department's Disaster News and Information page. If you get caught out in the cold, you can find a warming center near you, provided by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.

Agriculture

Landowners should contact their local county soil and water conservation district office for additional information and assistance.

Containers or Tanks

To report orphaned containers or tanks contact the department's 24-hour spill line at 573-634-2436.

Debris

Energy

Public schools (K-12), public colleges and universities, city and county governments and public hospitals impacted by severe weather events or catastrophic equipment failure may apply for low-interest emergency energy loans to replace or upgrade damaged equipment. Applicants must submit their application within two months of the weather event. For more information, visit Emergency Energy Loans.

Historic Preservation

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a public-private partnership between FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution, supports response and recovery efforts of Missouri’s arts & culture sector – and the public. Cultural institutions and arts organizations affected by storms and flooding can call the National Heritage Responders hotline at 202-661-8068. Members of the public who have questions about saving family heirlooms can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.

Water

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

The following information is intended to provide initial emergency guidance to the operators, owners and employees of both publicly and privately owned facilities that produce and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater.

Private Drinking Water Wells

If a private water well has been impacted, it is important for the well owner to disinfect it carefully to ensure the water is safe to drink. If repairs need to be made to the well, hire a contractor to do the work. Locate contractors licensed to do business in Missouri using mowells. For information about bacteriological testing for private drinking water please contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service or your Local Public Health Agency.

Current Water Levels

Related Links

Guidance about Planning for Natural Disaster Debris - EPA fact sheet
Recovery.mo.gov
MoDOT Traveler Info Map
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
Disaster Assisance.gov
University of Missouri Outreach and Extension - Severe Storms
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Kansas City District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Memphis District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Omaha District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - St. Louis District

Contact Information