Governor’s Column - January 19, 2007
by Governor Matt Blunt
Missouri’s Preparedness for Severe Weather
Missouri has been hit hard with natural disasters like the recent ice storms that hit the I-44 corridor and the St. Louis region. When severe weather threatens our state, Missourians can take satisfaction that our state officials and resources stand ready to assist when needed.
The first action we take when we identify a threat like the ice storms is to activate the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to ensure state resources are positioned to assist Missourians when and if needed.
To prepare for the three waves of ice storms, I activated SEMA before the storms hit to ensure that state resources stood ready to deal with the dangerous weather system. Taking this proactive step puts our state and all agencies on alert. It creates a 24 hour a day watch guard for Missourians’ safety. During this phase SEMA monitors the potential threat and assesses what resources may be needed.
A state of emergency is declared in many cases when severe weather strikes. Declaring a state of emergency ensures state resources are readily available to assist however needed. When taking this action the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan is also activated directing state agencies to provide support in affected areas as needed. For example, at my direction the Office of Administration provided large generators to assist in providing power to places like nursing homes and critical infrastructure.
In some cases it is necessary for the Missouri National Guard to be mobilized to assist the state with the recovery efforts. I recently called upon hundreds of Guard members to assist in going door-to-door in impacted communities to ensure the safety and well being of our neighbors.
Many times federal assistance is necessary and I will ask the President for a disaster declaration for impacted counties to add to the resources we are providing at the state and local level. If the president grants the request, the Federal Emergency Management Agency makes Public Assistance available to affected communities to help them recoup disaster related costs and rebuild damaged infrastructure.
In response to the ice storms, I sought and received an expedited disaster declaration from President Bush which opened the door for new federal resources like large generators in addition to helping with the costs of the disaster.
Just as important as the state’s response to disasters is the response of our citizens on the ground. As with other disasters, the aftermath of the ice storms brought out the best in Missouri. While visiting with those in the impacted areas, I heard countless stories of neighbors helping neighbors, people checking on seniors and the homebound and Missourians with power providing shelter for those without it. As your governor, I want to honor these acts of kindness and everyday heroism that I see everywhere I go when disaster strikes our state.
My first concern is always for the safety of all Missourians when severe weather threatens our state. I want Missourians to know that their state is well equipped and stands ready to assist when severe weather strikes.