Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Declares State of Emergency; Activates Guard to Help with Flooding Response
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt declared a state of emergency exists in Missouri and activated the Missouri National Guard to help local communities respond to ongoing flooding in western Missouri.
"Mother Nature is testing Missourians once again after last winter's harsh storms and this spring with Missouri River flooding," Blunt said. "My primary concern is for the safety of Missourians and so I am taking these steps today to ensure communities will have the state and Guard resources they need to assist with their response efforts."
The governor's action will facilitate a quick response when local communities ask for state assistance. Activated Missouri National Guard members are in an alert status, ready to help however needed. If requested by local authorities, the Guard may perform a variety of duties ranging form door-to-door health and well being visits to distributing food to community distribution sites.
Today the governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in response to severe storms, flooding, flash flooding, high winds and hail that have impacted communities in recent weeks in parts of central and western Missouri.
The order also activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan and directs state agencies to provide support in affected areas as needed. The State Emergency Management Agency, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Transportation and Missouri State Water Patrol have already been assisting local jurisdictions. Inmates from the Missouri Department of Corrections can be made available to assist with sandbagging efforts if needed.