Monday, December 4, 2006
Contact: Brian Hauswirth, 573-751-0290
Blunt Visits Hardest Hit Area; Applauds Guard’s Response
ST. LOUIS–Gov. Matt Blunt met with members of the Missouri National Guard (MONG) in St. Louis this afternoon and was briefed on their continued response to the deadly winter storm.
Blunt visited Homer G. Phillips Independent Living Center, where he heard from residents and National Guard members responding to the storm. The center houses 270 residents and lost power until a generator secured by Office of Administration (OA) was set up following last week’s severe weather.
“Our Missouri National Guard troops are meeting the challenge as they help local responders overcome this devastating storm,” Blunt said.
The Guard is helping transport generators to points of critical need, going door-to-door in the St. Louis area to check on the well being of their fellow Missourians, and distributing food, water and blankets. In addition, guardsmen began assisting St. Francois and Washington Counties today with debris removal.
The governor has been in constant communication with the Department of Public Safety and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) throughout the storm and the subsequent response. Blunt visited SEMA Saturday, as he actively managed the state’s response to the storm.
St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Francois County and Washington County requested the state’s help to address power outages, freezing temperatures and safety and shelter needs. At Blunt’s direction:
- The MONG currently has 354 soldiers on duty performing various missions.
- 150 Guardsmen were in the St. Louis area, going door-to-door to check on residents’ safety. They made contact with more than 3,100 households on Saturday alone.
- 200 Guardsmen are helping St. Francois and Washington Counties with debris removal.
- OA has been directed to make any state building available to local communities as warming stations, if requested. The following buildings in St. Louis are serving as warming centers 24 hours a day: the Wainwright Building at 111 North 7th Street; the Midtown State Office Building at 3545 Lindell; and the Prince Hall Office Building at 4411 North Newstead. If someone needs shelter, they can go to those three buildings and get warm. The state will provide transportation to get them to the nearest shelter.
- St. Louis City has two shelters and 18 warming stations.
- St. Louis County has 11 shelters and 12 warming centers.
- OA has secured and delivered 20 generators to the St. Louis area, delivering them to various agencies. As of the governor’s press conference, at least 12 were available if requested by a local community or county.
Blunt has also directed SEMA to conduct damage assessments, which are the preliminary step for the state to request federal disaster assistance. SEMA’s regional assessment teams are reviewing damage to determine which Missouri counties may qualify for federal assistance. Blunt Friday issued an executive order, declaring a state of emergency statewide because of the snow and ice accumulation and massive power losses.
Blunt was asked to serve on the National Governors Association’s Innovation America Task Force. He cancelled that meeting to visit the St. Louis area.
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