Identifying Threats to Regional Economic Recovery – DR-4665-MO, Missouri Flash Floods, July 25 – 28, 2022
Client: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Under the direction of the Economic Development Administration’s Economic Recovery Support Function (ERSF), NOVACES deployed a seasoned disaster recovery expert to assess the economic impacts of a multi-county flood disaster in Missouri.
The analysis uncovered three key threats to effective recovery:
1. Small businesses bore the brunt of the damage but lacked the resources to recover quickly.
2. Communication gaps limited awareness of available recovery support across business sectors.
3. Damaged transportation routes risked delaying early recovery efforts without strong interagency coordination.
Challenges
From July 25–28, 2022, severe thunderstorms brought 6 to 12 inches of rainfall to the St. Louis Metropolitan region, triggering historic flash floods. The disaster impacted more than 2,000 homes and hundreds of businesses across Montgomery, St. Louis, and St. Charles counties, as well as the City of St. Louis.
During on-the-ground analysis, NOVACES identified several obstacles that could hinder recovery:
1. Lack of business impact data – Municipalities did not collect information on damage to small businesses, limiting their inclusion in formal recovery efforts.
2. Limited local awareness – Leaders were unfamiliar with federal and state business recovery resources and programs.
3. Damaged infrastructure – Key transportation routes required urgent attention to avoid disrupting recovery logistics.
4. Widespread lack of insurance – Many residents and business owners were uninsured, amplifying recovery challenges.
Solutions Delivered
A key element of NOVACES support to DLA was facilitating the comprehensive documentation of vital business processes—an effort that had proven challenging until our facilitators stepped in. Working closely with Process Owners and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), our team:
Community Engagement & Impact Assessment
NOVACES engaged with 18 communities within the disaster zone, conducting interviews and site visits to collect vital data on damages and early response efforts. This grassroots insight enabled the FEMA Interagency Recovery Coordination team to identify cross-cutting issues and avoid duplication of federal agency efforts.
Capacity-Building Through Local Training
To support recovery readiness, NOVACES organized training sessions, workshops, and community events designed to equip local leaders, businesses, and residents with the knowledge and tools needed to participate fully in the recovery process.
Transportation Recovery Planning
NOVACES developed a targeted transportation plan to address road and infrastructure disruptions—ensuring that recovery efforts would not be stalled by inaccessible or damaged routes.
Key Takeaways
Expert-Led Analysis Informs Smarter Decisions
Leveraging a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), NOVACES delivered a detailed economic assessment that helped decision-makers align resources with priority needs.
Early Business Outreach is Critical
Conducting business surveys early in the recovery process yielded essential data for planning and resource allocation.
On-Site Integration Builds Collaboration
Embedding a NOVACES contractor within the ERSF team at the Joint Field Office strengthened interagency coordination and fostered more cohesive federal recovery operations.