September 9, 2005
Governor’s Column
By Governor Matt Blunt
Missouri’s Response to Hurricane Katrina
I would like to take this opportunity to commend all Missourians for their efforts to aid Americans displaced by Hurricane Katrina. It is moving to see citizens all across our state reach out to help those who have been impacted by the disastrous hurricane along the Gulf coast. Our state is living up to its motto as the Show Me State by offering a helping a hand and welcoming thousands of displaced Americans to Missouri.
Missouri has almost 2,000 National Guard Members committed to the recovery effort. Already, 31 young hospital patients and their families were transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City from New Orleans on two C-130s belonging to the Missouri Air Guard. The guard is also looking at dispatching additional troops in the coming days to fulfill medical, transportation and security missions.
The Department of Economic Development’s Division of Work Force Development mobilized 40 Career Centers to help displaced Americans in our state find work. The centers will provide individuals looking for jobs with information about the labor market, help them apply for assistance from their home state, and help them prepare and update their resumes.
According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, close to 500 children from the Gulf coast are enrolled in schools across the state. The Department of Higher Education informed me that several colleges and universities are prepared to accept late enrollments and offer financial assistance to students who planned to start this semester in Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama.
Hundreds of Missourians have offered their assistance, but in order to maximize our impact we need to be organized. That is why I appointed Adjutant General King Sidwell to serve as Missouri’s Hurricane Relief Coordinator. I ask that my fellow Missourians, do not call the affected regions directly instead, if you want to help, it really needs to come through our state. Anyone can contact SEMA at (888) 526-6664 or visit our website at katrinarelief.mo.gov.
For those displaced Americans in Missouri it is important to register with FEMA at www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA to obtain the $2,000 voucher available to you and your family. Registering will help ensure you have access to the services offered by the federal government.
Again, I want to thank my fellow Missourians for their generous response in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina.