Governor Mike Parson has activated the Missouri National Guard as the state continues to respond to damaging flooding, tornadoes and severe storms.
Governor Parson said: “I have directed Major General Steve Danner to begin moving our Missouri Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen to locations where they will support our ongoing flood fighting efforts. Missouri has been battling historic flooding since March, which is depleting local resources, and now flooding conditions in many parts of the state are only getting worse. In addition, communities from Carl Junction to Jefferson City are facing the challenge of recovering from tornadoes and severe storms, further challenging civilian resources. The Guard has demonstrated its capabilities in response to natural disasters across Missouri, and I know they’ll make a difference at this critical time.”
A news release says, under Executive Order 19-09, Guard units will be deployed to support Chariton County, by sandbagging to reinforce a stressed levee near Brunswick. The Guard also will be staging and utilizing high-water vehicles to support flood response operations in Jefferson City.
Governor Parson made the decision to activate the Guard after conferring with the state emergency management team, including officials from the Missouri Department of Public Safety, State Emergency Management Agency, and the Missouri National Guard.
In response to earlier flooding and storms this year, on May 20, President Donald Trump approved Governor Parson’s request for a major disaster declaration to help local governments and nonprofit agencies in 13 Missouri counties- including Carroll, Chariton and Ray- recover from devastating flooding and severe storms that occurred from March 11 to April 16.
That declaration made federal assistance available for the repair of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, along with emergency response costs associated with the March 11 to April 16 storm system and flooding. The Governor’s April 24 request said $25 million in qualifying expenses already had been identified.