Friday, March 17, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Proclaims Sunday State Day of Prayer for Tornado Victims
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt issued a proclamation today calling for a state day of prayer on Sunday, March 19, for victims of the deadly storms that swept across Missouri last weekend.
“Missouri has endured great hardships over the last week caused by these violent storms,” Blunt said. “I believe there is real power in prayer, and I ask all Missourians to join me this Sunday in asking God to give our state strength to continue our recovery efforts and to lift the spirits of those who lost loved ones and treasured possessions. Through His grace nothing is insurmountable, and I humbly ask for his continued blessings on the great state of Missouri.”
To date, the storms have claimed the lives of ten Missourians, caused more than 100 injuries and destroyed or damaged more than 1,000 homes. Blunt responded quickly to the natural disaster, mobilizing the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) last Sunday and issuing two executive orders on Monday declaring a state of emergency in every Missouri County and authorizing the Missouri National Guard to assist in rescue and recovery efforts as needed.
Blunt also visited hard hit Christian County on Monday and at his request Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder toured Perry County on Monday and Sedalia and Renick on Wednesday. Blunt issued a third executive order Tuesday allowing the director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to waive environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the disposal of debris from the storms.
“As I stood in front of a damaged home in Perry County, a man shook my hand and told me that he would be fine, but that he wanted us to think of our troops in Iraq, who witness this sort of destruction every day,” said Lt. Gov Kinder. “What a great example of the spirit of a Missourian. Let us remember those who lost lives and the families they leave behind in thoughtful prayer. Let us also pause daily to thank God for his protection and blessings.”
Last night, President George W. Bush declared a major disaster exists in the state of Missouri making federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Christian, Hickory, Johnson, Monroe, Perry, Pettis, Randolph, St. Genevieve, and Saline. The presidents’ declaration also makes funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain non-profit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in the counties of Bates, Howard, Jefferson, Monroe, Montgomery, and Washington for debris removal and emergency protective measures.
SEMA assessment teams continue to travel across the state accompanied by representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) collecting additional damage reports that could be used to amend the president’s declaration and make federal aid available to more local governments.
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