JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.---As the Greater St. Louis area and other areas around the State work to recover from the storms and tornadoes that hit the area on May 16, the Missouri Public Service Commission reminds consumers that there are several agencies offering assistance to storm damage victims, including utility assistance and restoration.
The needs are great for people in the areas that were devastated by the storm, including utility assistance, relocation assistance, tree removal, property cleanup, emergency repairs, temporary housing, food, clothing, essential supplies and transportation.
In the St. Louis area, Ameren Corporation announced a number of measures this week to assist storm victims. They include:
• Pausing disconnections for nonpayment for 60 days (through July 2025) in heavily impacted areas
• Requiring no upfront deposits for new service for 90 days (through August 2025) for customers impacted by storm damage
• Making available a special payment arrangement requiring only 20% down, available for 90 days (through August 2025), for customers impacted by storm damage
• Increasing funds available in the New Start Energy Relief Program, which provides up to $1,000 to re-establish service
• Expanding funds available in Ameren Missouri's Weatherization program allowing for certain storm repairs
• Expanding funds available in Ameren Missouri's Dollar More program. Eligible households may receive up to $500 and may bundle with other assistance programs
Spire, meanwhile, has announced assistance for its natural gas customers impacted by the storm and tornado, by:
• Suspending disconnections for non-payment, as well as service initiation and reconnection fees for customers impacted by the tornadoes through September 2025
• Extending payment arrangements
• Working with city leaders and other members of the business community to help support recovery efforts
Agencies offering general assistance in the St. Louis area include:
• City of St. Louis Tornado Response Fund:
314-588-8200
https://stl.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=7600
• United Way of Greater St. Louis:
Dial 211
https://www.211helps.org/2025-storms-tornados/
• The Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area:
314-646-3000
https://donate.stlsalvationarmy.org/give/673128/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=Lightbox20250518MID
• Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc:
314-615-3600
https://www.ulstl.com/#/
• Care STL Health:
314-367-5820
https://givebutter.com/Carestltornado
• American Red Cross St. Louis Chapter:
800-733-2767
https://www.redcross.org/local/missouri/about-us/locations/st-louis-area.html?CID=organic_gmb_listings
In Scott County, the Bootheel Regional Community Foundation and the Scott County Emergency Management Team activated the Scott County Impact Fund. They are partnering with the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) to distribute the funds to help residents, entities and municipalities affected by the May 16 tornado. Those who need help should contact DAEOC at 573-931-8400 or toll-free at 800-748-8320. Here is the DAEOC online contact:
https://www.daeoc.com/
If you need utility services to be terminated or restored, please contact your utility provider. Please do not attempt to restore utility service on your own. If you are aware of a dangerous or unsafe condition of a utility line or service, please contact Ameren at 800-552-7583 or Spire at 800-887-4173, or your municipal or cooperative provider.
If you need assistance with a utility-related issue, you can also reach out to the PSC Consumer Services Hotline at 800-392-4211.
The Public Service Commission also reminds consumers to be diligent in avoiding potential scams and predatory practices. According to the Better Business Bureau, tactics of scammers include: portraying themselves as repair contractors who offer their services for a low fee; fake contractors who express a sense of urgency; requests to be paid in cash only; people showing up in an unmarked van or uniform; those who refuse to show proof of license or other forms of identification; and those who offer “free inspections.”
Consumers can report scams to the Missouri Attorney General Consumer Hotline at 800-392-8222.
The Missouri Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas, steam, water and sewer utilities in Missouri. The Commission also has limited jurisdiction over telecommunications providers in the state. In addition, the Commission regulates the operational safety of the state’s rural electric cooperatives and municipally owned natural gas utilities. The Commission also regulates manufacturers and dealers of manufactured homes and modular units, and enforces initial home or unit installation.
Missouri Public Service Commission