Governor’s Column - March 28, 2008
by Governor Matt Blunt
Our Response to Flooding in the Show-Me State
Missourians are once again picking up the pieces following the destructive forces of Mother Nature, this time from significant flooding in large portions of the state. My first concern is always for the safety of Missourians. With that concern in mind we moved quickly to ensure the state is doing everything within its power to mobilize resources and ensure that they are easily accessible to our communities when needed.
We have seen an unprecedented number of Missouri communities devastated by recent flooding and its aftermath. Once we were aware that flooding was likely we began our immediate and coordinated response to protect Missourians and provide them with essential resources to help save lives and property. First I declared a state of emergency, activating the state's emergency operations center to prepare communities in high-risk areas along the river and to execute proper safety precautions throughout the state.
I also activated the Missouri National Guard, which played a critical role in protecting Missourians. I am grateful for the service the Guard provides our state when called upon and I know they are ready once again to assist Missourians in need.
I also asked President Bush for an expedited disaster declaration. I appreciated the President's quick approval of my request for federal assistance, which will assist Missourians and communities in recovering from the flooding.
Missouri's emergency responders acted heroically in their efforts to rescue and assist the flood victims. Disasters like this always bring out the best in Missourians and we have seen this with neighbors helping neighbors in communities impacted by the flooding. There has also been overwhelming support from the business community to provide essential needs for the victims of this disaster. Their charity is greatly appreciated and a true demonstration of public-private partnerships. Examples of good corporate citizenship that occurred around the state in response to the flood were actions by Anheuser-Busch, Wal-Mart and Union Pacific, who donated tractor trailer loads of bottled water, and Supply Chain Services LLC of Liberty, who delivered water to grateful Missourians in communities impacted by the floods.
With large portions of Missouri still dealing with flooding problems, I was disappointed to hear of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to proceed with a manmade flood on the Missouri River. While they responded to our request to limit the flooding, we stand by our constant position that the so-called 'spring rise' is unnecessary in the first place. Neither Missourians, nor the pallid sturgeon, need flooding from the Corps. We continue to seek a resolution with the Corps to not only reduce the amount of flooding, but stop it all together.
I commend the local emergency managers and state departments who worked diligently to combat rising flood waters and to save lives and property. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all Missourians who are again dealing with this flooding emergency.